CABINET OFFICE

Correspondence

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he will reply to the hon. Member for New Forest West's letter of 24 September regarding Mr. Douglas Alexander.

Douglas Alexander: My officials wrote to the hon. Member on the 7 October 2002, explaining that the subject matter raised was better suited to the Department for Works and Pensions and had been transferred. I understand that they will be responding shortly.

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what public consultations have been commenced by his Department in each month since 10 July; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Douglas Alexander: The information for formal national public written consultations by the Cabinet Office is as follows:
	In the Service of Democracy: a consultation paper on a policy for electronic democracy
	(a) 16 July 2002
	(b) 31 October 2002
	www.edemocracy.gov.uk
	Better Policy Making and Regulatory Impact Assessment: Consultation on draft guidance for policy makers
	(a) 2 August 2002
	(b) 25th October 2002
	www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/scrutiny/consultation.htm
	Private Action, Public Benefit: A review of charities and the wider not for profit sector—a consultation
	(a) 25 September 2002
	(b) 31 December 2002
	www.strategy.gov.uk/consultation/consultation.shtml
	National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy—A Consultation Document
	(a) 15 October 2002
	(b) 15 January 2003 and website address:
	www.strategy.gov.uk/consultation/consultation.shtml

PRIME MINISTER

Honours Scrutiny Committee

Bridget Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister, what the responsibilities are of the Honours Scrutiny Committee.

Tony Blair: The membership of the Honours Scrutiny Committee and its responsibilities are set out in an Order of Council dated 18 October 2002. I am placing copies of the Order in the Libraries of both Houses.

Royal Prerogative

Graham Allen: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 17 October, Official Report, column 78W, on royal prerogative, if he will make a fuller statement of the reasons for his statement that the House is already given the opportunity to debate such decisions.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I gave to the House on Tuesday 24 September, Official Report, column 7.

Prime Ministerial Visits

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the towns in the UK he has visited in his official capacity during this Parliament.

Tony Blair: holding answer 6 November 2002
	Records of my official visits are not categorised in this way. My visits cover a range of matters including health, education, and tourism. I also travel regularly to my constituency.
	I travel making the most efficient and cost-effective arrangements. My travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in chapter 7 of the Ministerial Code, and the accompanying guidance document, Travel by Ministers.
	My Office's records show that I have undertaken the following visits in the UK since June 2001:
	
		
			 Date Destination 
		
		
			 22 June 2001 Newton Aycliffe 
			 26–27 July Carlisle 
			  Penrith 
			  Keswick 
			  Hull 
			 1–2 September Edinburgh 
			  Aberdeen 
			 7–8 September Hartlepool 
			 11 September Brighton 
			 2 October Brighton 
			 30 October Bristol 
			  Cardiff 
			 5 November Birmingham 
			 22–23 Nov Birmingham 
			  Redcar 
			 27 November London 
			 3 December London 
			 6 December London 
			 6 December Reading 
			 10 December Hockley 
			 20–21 December Sunderland 
			 24 January 2002 Darlington, Newcastle, Newton Aycliffe 
			 12 February London 
			 20 February London 
			 21–22 February Newcastle 
			  Wallsend 
			  Durham 
			  Dundee 
			 21–22 March Manchester 
			  Bolton 
			 25 March London 
			 11–12 April Newton Aycliffe 
			  Darlington 
			 18 April London 
			 2 May Belfast 
			 7 May Glasgow 
			 9 May London 
			 23 May Brentford 
			 30 May Norwich 
			  Shotley 
			  Ipswich 
			 1–3 June Durham 
			 10 June Streatham 
			 20 June Glasgow 
			 4 July Belfast 
			 12 July Middlesborough 
			  Thornley 
			  Easington 
			 25–27 July Oldham 
			  Manchester 
			  Durham 
			  Billingham, Stockton 
			 1–4 August Wigton 
			  Whitehaven, Manchester 
			 30 August London 
			 3 September Sedgefield 
			 8 September Balmoral 
			 9–10 September Preston 
			  Blackpool 
			 18 September London 
			 28 September–3 October Beswick 
			  Blackpool 
			 14 October London 
			 17 October Belfast 
			 18 October Durham 
			  Newton Aycliffe 
			  Darlington 
			 24 October Nottingham 
			 31 October London

European Council

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the German Chancellor on proposals for reform of the European Council; and whether it is his policy to pursue a joint position on these matters.

Tony Blair: I wrote a joint letter with Chancellor Schröder in February on proposals for Council reform. These ideas were taken forward in the agreement reached at the Seville European Council.
	We are now further developing these ideas with all our European partners.

India

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent meeting at Chequers with the Prime Minister of India; and when he next plans to visit India.

Tony Blair: I met the Indian Prime Minister on 12 October 2002. We had a wide-ranging discussion of international and bilateral issues. I stressed the importance of the bilateral relationship and welcomed the progress made on implementing the New Delhi Declaration signed during my visit to India in January this year. I also reiterated the UK's support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council. I congratulated Mr. Vajpayee on the successful Jammu and Kashmir elections. We discussed next steps in the region. I also raised the consular cases of Ian Stillman, Peter Bleach and the British citizens killed in Gujarat earlier this year.
	I also refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith) on 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 604W.
	I currently have no plans to visit India.

London Mayor

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister when he last met the Mayor of London in an official capacity.

Tony Blair: I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals, including the Mayor of London. As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings, under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

European Convention on the Future of Europe

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the European Convention on the Future of Europe.

Tony Blair: The convention is making good progress. President Valery Giscard d'Estaing's outline constitutional treaty, published last week, provides a useful framework for the next stage in the discussions. The convention is expected to conclude in June 2003.

Swaminarayan Hindu Mission

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the Swaminarayan Hindu Mission concerning their dispute with Brent Council.

Tony Blair: As far as I am aware I have received two letters from the Swaminarayan Hindu Mission on this issue.

Parliamentary Questions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) Parliamentary Questions and (b) letters to him from hon. Members in this session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

Tony Blair: No parliamentary questions remain unanswered.
	Since June 2001 I have received approximately 3,638 letters from Members of Parliament including invitations and requests concerning constituency matters which were dealt with as appropriate.
	I have received about 800,000 items of post since June 2001, and my office has worked hard to deal with them as efficiently as possible.

Missile Defence Programme

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions took place during his most recent meeting with President Bush about the United Nations national missile defence programme; what agreements were reached; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: President Bush and I did not discuss missile defence when we met on 7 September. It remains the case that there has been no formal US request for the use of UK facilities for missile defence purposes. If a request is received, the Government will consider it. But the Government would only agree to the use of UK facilities if satisfied that the overall security of the UK and NATO would be enhanced.

House of Lords Appointment Commission

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Prime Minister what consideration the House of Lords Appointment Commission has been asked to give to increasing the representation of Sikhs in the House of Lords.

Tony Blair: The criteria for assessing nominations for the House of Lords are set by the House of Lords Appointment Commission. These include outstanding records of personal success and achievement in their own chosen fields; independence and integrity; commitment to the highest standards of public life and the ability to contribute effectively to the work of the House of Lords. While the Appointment Commission has not been asked to consider increasing the representation of any faith group, clearly individuals from the different faith groups who meet the criteria will be considered in the usual way.

Sikh Community

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Prime Minister, which Government Departments have put in place mechanisms to monitor the provision of public services to the British Sikh community.

Tony Blair: As I have indicated in reply to earlier questions, as part of the Government's commitment to diversity a number of Departments employ diversity and equality advisers. These liaise with various communities on policy, operational and employment matters. Some of these, for example in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Defence, focus specifically on issues relevant to the Sikh community.
	The Government are committed to the provision of public services for all. Areas of specific concern to the Sikh community can be raised in a range of fora, including Race Equality Councils and with the appropriate Minister.

Ministerial Assessment

David Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the procedures under which he receives reports from civil servants on the performance of junior ministers.

Tony Blair: Section 1 of the Ministerial Code sets out the procedures relating to the accountability of Ministers. Civil servants do not provide me with performance reports on junior Ministers although there is provision for issues to be raised with me through the Cabinet Secretary.

TRANSPORT

Aviation Fuel

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 158W, on aviation fuel, if he will estimate the total United Kingdom air passenger demand in 2030 if agreement is reached in ICAO to impose an international tax on aviation fuel equivalent to the current rate of duty on unleaded petrol and to impose a sales tax of 17.5 per cent on all airline tickets.

David Jamieson: holding answer 31 October 2002
	Imposing a tax on aviation equivalent to the current rate of duty on unleaded fuel in the UK has not been considered in ICAO and the Government has given an undertaking not to remove existing zero rating for VAT purposes of air transport. Imposing such tax increases on aviation would go well beyond what is justified on the basis of evidence of its environmental costs.

Cliffe Airport

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason residents of South Essex with homes falling under the Cliffe Airport 5th runway, were not consulted on the Cliffe Airway proposal.

David Jamieson: The Government are consulting very widely across the UK on the future of air transport.
	The consultation documents published in July are available to everyone at no cost. They can be found on a special website, www.airconsult.gov.uk, or by contacting our distribution centre either by writing to DfT Free Literature, PO Box No 236, Wetherby LS23 7NB or by telephoning 0845 100 5554. In addition, my department sent complementary copies of the summary consultation papers to those local residents who would be most directly affected by any of the possible options.
	We want to receive as many responses as possible from the public. We will take all views into account before any decisions are taken and announced in the air transport White Paper next year.
	The White Paper will set out a framework for proposed airport development. Before any development could proceed it would be subject to the land use planning system and all interested parties would have a further opportunity to represent their views as part of that process.

Car Sharing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with agencies of Local Agenda 21 on the subject of car sharing.

David Jamieson: holding answer 5 November 2002
	The review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy, which involves Departments across Whitehall, will include consultation with key stakeholders including Agenda 21 groups.

Potters Bar Rail Accident

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made in addressing the findings and recommendations of the Health and Safety Executive concerning the Potters Bar derailment; what steps have been taken in respect of nuts on the adjustable stretcher bars of points in the Potters Bar area; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The progress report published by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Potters Bar Investigation Board on 4 July 2002 made a number of recommendations to improve the safety of railway points on Railtrack (now Network Rail), its maintenance contractors and HSE's HM Railway Inspectorate (HMRI).
	The Investigation Board was informed by Railtrack of measures it was taking to improve safety, including the provision of guidance on good practice for safely setting up and maintaining adjustable stretcher bars.
	Network Rail has also promised to complete by next month an in-depth design review of railway points using adjustable stretcher bars as recommended by the Investigation Board. It has also given a commitment to lead a workshop with its contractors to promote a determined and consistent approach to progressing the Investigation Board's recommendations.
	The Investigation Board has considered the initial responses from Railtrack and its contractors and will consider the more detailed responses once Network Rail has completed the in-depth design review.
	HMRI inspectors will be carrying out further spot checks on a sample of points as a follow-up exercise to the one carried out in June.

Potters Bar Rail Accident

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects to receive the next interim report from the Health and Safety Executive on the Potters Bar rail accident.

David Jamieson: holding answer 5 November 2002
	The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have advised that, subject to the completion of all necessary technical inquiries, the Potters Bar Investigation Board expects to publish its next progress report in the first quarter of 2003. However, consistent with its published terms of reference, the Board will consider putting into the public domain beforehand any information it judges to be in the interests of furthering the cause of improved rail safety. The Board meets regularly and reviews this question very carefully.

Air Transport

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many copies of the (a) main document and (b) summary of the (i) National and (ii) regional consultation documents on Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom have been issued in hard copy as a result of each exhibition which has taken place to promote the consultation.

David Jamieson: The Department has issued to date, in total, around 111,000 copies of the main consultation documents and 156,000 copies of the summary documents for the seven areas of the UK. These figures include the documents distributed at the exhibitions across the country. We do not have a breakdown for the number of documents issued at individual exhibitions.

Air Transport

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost to his Department has been of (a) the exhibitions promoting the consultation documents on the Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom and (b) the printing costs relating to the publication of the consultation documents.

David Jamieson: The cost of the exhibitions which have taken place at the major airport sites across the UK during the consultation period is around #1.1 million to date. The programme of exhibitions is not yet complete, due to high public demand. The printing costs relating to the publication of the consultation documents are around #480,000.

Air Transport

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many responses had been received by 28 October in response to (a) the consultation document, Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation (b) each of the regional consultation documents on the Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom, for each region (i) in total and (ii) for each region.

David Jamieson: To date we have received over 7000 responses to the NOP questionnaire and over 23,000 letters in total across the UK. This is set out by region in the table.
	
		
			 Region NOP Responses Letters received 
		
		
			 Scotland 464 29 
			 South East 3949 8700 
			 Midlands 1786 15000 
			 North of England 983 39 
			 South West 546 24 
			 Wales 29 7 
			 Northern Ireland 51 8 
			  
			 Total 7808 23801

Air Transport

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many copies of the (a) main document and (b) summary of the consultation documents (i) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation, (ii) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: North of England, (iii) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South West, (iv) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: Midlands, (v) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: Wales and (vi) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East have been (A) issued in hard copy and (B) downloaded from the website.

David Jamieson: We have so far distributed around 105,750 main consultation documents and 145,700 summary consultation documents. The figures by region for distribution and website downloads are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Region Hard copy Website downloads 
			  Main Summary Main Summary 
		
		
			 North of England 11,500 27,500 11,000 5,800 
			 South West 5,150 13,700 7,100 7,000 
			 Midlands 33,400 42,600 31,100 25,300 
			 Wales 4,000 5,200 2,000 1,500 
			 South East 47,600 48,000 54,500 56,600 
			 Northern Ireland 4,100 8,700 2,400 1,700 
			  
			 Total 105,750 145,700 108,100 97,900

Dual-use Pathogens

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mechanisms there are to allow the Government to monitor, regulate and ensure the security of the transport of dual-use pathogens (a) within the UK, (b) within the EU and (c) from the UK to third countries.

John Spellar: The land transport of infectious substances within Great Britain is regulated by the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 2089) (as amended), the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 2095) (as amended) and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No 2092) (as amended). These regulations are made under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive, with support from the police and the Vehicle Inspectorate. Mirror arrangements apply in Northern Ireland. Council Directives 96/49/EC (for rail transport) and 94/55/EC (for road transport) apply to transport between EU Member States, respectively, the provisions of the RID and ADR Agreements governing the international transport of dangerous goods, including infectious substances. Transport between the UK and third countries who are contracting parties to RID or ADR is governed by the detailed requirements set out in those Agreements. The Agreements are reviewed biennially in response to technical progress. Similar provisions apply in air and sea transport through application of the ICAO Technical Instructions and the IMO IMDG Code respectively.
	The United Kingdom is at the forefront of an international initiative to draft provisions to enhance the security of dangerous goods in transport, which will apply particularly to the more dangerous infectious substances. We hope that by the end of the year we will see these provisions adopted in the UN's global multi-modal Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and by the European Commission, and included in due course in the provisions of the aforementioned Directives.

Congestion Charging

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information is collated by his Department on average traffic speed in central London between 07.00 and 18.30 in each of the past five years; and what estimates he plans to make on the impact of congestion charging from February 2003.

David Jamieson: Surveys of average traffic speeds were carried out in London until the year 2000 by the Department for Transport. Central, Inner and Outer London were surveyed in turn, and Central London was covered in 1997 and 2000. Figures are not held specifically for the period 07:00 to 18:30. However, in Central London the average morning peak (07:45 to 09:15) speed during 1997 was 10.0 mph and in 2000 it was 9.9 mph.
	Since 3 July 2000, Transport for London have taken over responsibility for running the London speed surveys, as well as estimating the impact of congestion charging on traffic speeds in London from February 2003.

Matlock-Buxton Railway Line

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to re-open the railway line from Matlock to Buxton; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: A feasibility study, funded by Derbyshire County Council, the East Midlands Development Agency, the Countryside Agency and the Strategic Rail Authority, is currently considering the potential for re-opening the line. No decisions have yet been made.

Bletchley-Bicester Railway Line

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to bring into use the railway line from Bletchley to Bicester; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The East-West Consortium has submitted a Rail Passenger Partnership bid to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) for the re-opening of this section of line. The SRA is currently evaluating this bid and anticipates that a decision will be made shortly.

Cycling (London)

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the (a) number of regular cyclists and (b) number of cycle miles travelled in Greater London in each year since 1997.

David Jamieson: In our National Travel Survey over the period 1999–2001, about 10 per cent. (700,000) residents of Greater London said they cycled at least once a week and about a further 7 per cent. (500,000) said they cycled at least once a month. Figures are not available for single years.
	Estimates for pedal cycle traffic in London for the years 1999 to 2001 are estimated to be 340, 320 and 320 million vehicle kilometres respectively. Estimates for 1997 and 1998 will be available by mid-2003.

Rail Franchises

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what plans he has to change the number of trains operating companies in the South West;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the status of the Wessex franchise, with particular reference to its interaction with the Great Western franchise;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with members of the South Western Assembly on the subject of (a) the Wessex franchise and (b) the Great Western franchise.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) announced on 6 November its intention to create a new Greater Western rail franchise by no later than 2006. The new franchise will combine the current Great Western Trains, Thames Trains and Wessex Trains franchises into a single franchise. This decision follows extensive consultation with key stakeholders including the South Western Assembly. The SRA also announced a way forward to 2007 for the South West Trains franchise.

Central Railways

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to (a) complete and (b) publish his response to the Central Railways proposed freight line.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 October 2002, Official Report, column 304W, to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan).

Better Public Buildings Initiative

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will name the projects the departmental design champion has sponsored as part of the Better Public Buildings initiative; and if he will make a statement on the extent of his personal input in respect of each.

David Jamieson: The sponsored projects are the New Government Building, Leeds and the Highways Agency's Stonehenge Improvement Project.

Motorway Accidents

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data is collated by his Department on the incidence of motorway traffic accidents involving left-hand drive heavy goods vehicles; and what proportion of accidents involved the vehicle changing lanes.

David Jamieson: This information is not available.

Motorway Accidents

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will commission research on safety aspects of the use of left-hand drive heavy goods vehicles on motorways, with particular reference to resolving problems resulting from their blind spots.

David Jamieson: UK research into heavy goods vehicle visibility was used in preparing an amendment to the EU Directive on Rear View Mirrors. This will require new heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes registered within the EU to be fitted with a ''close proximity'' blind spot mirror on the passenger side. We believe that this will go a long way towards addressing safety concerns over blind spots with left-hand-drive HGVs operating on UK roads.

Uckfield Railway Line

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will place in the Library a copy of the B003 Allen Report on the electrification of the Uckfield line through Edenbridge.

John Spellar: A summary of this report has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on how many occasions between 31 March 2001 and 31 March 2002 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

David Jamieson: The Department for Transport was only set up on 29 May 2002.

Special Advisers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for ransport, how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to him from hon. Members in this Session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

David Jamieson: The information provided is in respect of the period since the formation of my Department on 29 May 2002.
	No parliamentary questions remain unanswered.
	The Cabinet Office publishes a report to Parliament on an annual basis, setting out the volume of Members' correspondence received by Departments. The Report for 2001 was published on 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 677W. Copies of previous reports are available in the Library of the House.
	At 6 November 2002, my Department had received 3,649 letters from hon. Members, of which 23 remain unanswered after one month from date of receipt, where (i) 12 were between 1 and 2 months old from the date of receipt and (ii) 11 were between 2 and 3 months old from the date of receipt.

Special Advisers

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what public consultations have been commenced by his Department in each month since 20 July; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

David Jamieson: A list of the public consultations by the Department since 20 July 2002 is listed below, including the closing dates for responses and the website address of each document. The list is based on central records and reflects the public consultations undertaken within the areas for which the Department is currently responsible.
	
		
			 Subject Title Start date Closing date Web site 
		
		
			 Aviation The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation 23 July 02 30 Nov 02 http://www.aviation.dft.gov.uk/consult/airconsult/index.htm. 
			 Aviation Proposals for implementing European Directive 2002/30/EC on rules and procedures for introducing noise-related operating restrictions at Community airports 31 July 02 31 Oct 02 http://www.aviation.dft.gov.uk/consult/noise/index.htm. 
			 Railways Creating a regulatory board for railways 2 Oct 02 6 Nov 02 http://www.railways.dft.gov.uk/consult/regboard/index.htm. 
			 Road, Vehicles and Road Safety Restructuring and increase in fees for PSV international operations 29 Oct 02 10 Jan 03 http://www.roads.dft.gov.uk/consult/psv/index.htm. 
			 Road, Vehicles and Road Safety Mobile Phones and Driving—Proposal for an offence of using a handheld mobile phone while driving 20 Aug 02 25 Nov 02 http://www.roads.dft.gov.uk/consult/mobiles/index.htm. 
			 Road, Vehicles and Road Safety Retreaded and Part Worn Tyres Proposed Amendment to the Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994 23 Aug 02 25 Nov 02 http://www.roads.dft.gov.uk/consult/retreaded/index.htm. 
			 Road, Vehicles and Road Safety Amendment to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 to permit the use of longer buses in the UK in accordance with EC Directive 2002/7/EC 23 Aug 02 15 Nov 02 http://www.roads.dft.gov.uk/vehicle/ria/roadvehicles/index.htm. 
			  
			 Local Transport Bus Lane Enforcement—Public Consultation on the Proposed Bus Lane Contraventions 24 July 02 6 Sept 02 http://www.local-transport.dft.gov.uk/consult/buslanes/index.htm. 
			 Local Transport The Flexible Future A consultative paper on changes to local bus service registration and bus service operators grant requirements to allow more flexibly routed services 9 Aug 02 1 Nov 02 http://www.local-transport.dft.gov.uk/consult/flexibus/index.htm. 
			 Local Transport Review of Bus Subsidies: Consultation Paper 6 Aug 02 25 Oct 02 http://www.local-transport.dft.gov.uk/consult/busubsid/index.htm 
			 Street Work Diversionary Works Code Consultation 25 July 02 18 October http://www.street-works.dft.gov.uk/consult/divworks/index.htm.

DEFENCE

Nato Deployments

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what UK facilities have been made available to NATO forces for out of area activities during the past year.

Geoff Hoon: No United Kingdom facilities have been made available to NATO forces for out of area activities during the past year.

Nuclear Tests

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of pensions offered to service personnel of other states who participated in UK nuclear tests.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Nuclear Tests

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of financial support from the New Zealand Government for the nuclear test veterans of that country to support research into the health impact of UK nuclear tests.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has made no assessment of financial support provided by the New Zealand Government to New Zealand test veterans to support research into the health impact of British nuclear tests. Such funding is a matter for the New Zealand Government.

Parliamentary Questions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to him from hon. Members in this Session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

A400M

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his French counterpart about the future of the A400M programme.

Geoff Hoon: I last met my French counterpart on 4 October when we discussed a number of issues including the A400M programme. We agreed on the importance of that programme and the need to launch it as soon as possible.

A400M

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what indications he has received that Germany will order fewer than (a) 73 and (b) 60 A400M aircraft;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the increasing costs of the A400M programme, based on a reduced number of German orders; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  when he last met the Defence Minister of Germany to discuss the A440M programme; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what the minimum number is of A400M aircraft that Germany must order, for the UK to continue supporting the A400M programme; and how long he is prepared to wait for the minimum number of German orders.

Geoff Hoon: I had a meeting with my German counterpart on 5 November when we discussed a range of defence topics, including the A400M programme. We both recognised the importance of the A400M programme and the need to launch it as soon as possible.
	The German government has made no final decision on whether it will need to change its previously stated requirement for 73 aircraft. It would therefore be premature to speculate on the impact of a reduced German order on the cost of the programme.

A400M

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if she will make a statement on what progress is being made on the delivery of the A400M; and what discussions she has had with the German Government to discuss the contractual situation.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Ballistic Missile Defence

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his statement in the debate on defence in the world on 17 October 2062, Official Report, columns 503–04W, how he plans to facilitate (a) public and (b) parliamentary discussion of ballistic missile defence and the future uses of RAF Fylingdales.

Geoff Hoon: As I said in the debate on 17 October, I intend to make available to Parliament and the public in the coming months some analytical and discussion material. We will be ready to discuss the issues in Parliament at the appropriate time.

Ballistic Missile Defence

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department spent on technological and other appraisals of ballistic missile defence options, in each year since 1997.

Geoff Hoon: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 26 March 2002, Official Report, columns 849W–50W to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin).

Gulf War

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many requests by service personnel for access to their medical records there have been since the Gulf War; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many requests by service personnel for access to their medical records since the Gulf War have been granted; what reasons have been given for refusing service personnel access to their military medical records; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Gulf War

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incidence of reduced blood levels of the paraoxenase enzyme in Gulf War veterans.

Adam Ingram: A non-Ministry of Defence funded study published in September 2000 showed that when compared to a control group of some selected civilians who were well, self-selected ill United Kingdom Gulf veterans had: (a) a lower concentration of paraoxonase and (b) its activity was less than 50 per cent. of that found in the control group. The level of paraoxonase found showed little variation among the Gulf veterans studied and no link to the severity of symptoms or to genetic composition was identified. The Ministry of Defence has since part-funded a study to confirm, or otherwise, the earlier findings which includes United Kingdom Gulf veterans, Bosnia veterans and non-deployed veterans. The study is complete and it is expected that the results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Gulf War

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy brain scanning as applied to UK Gulf War veterans.

Adam Ingram: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive radiological technique. It measures intracellular concentrations of specific abundant chemicals in small areas of the brain and is used to examine brain activity patterns and to identify very localised areas of damage within the brain.
	MRS has not been used in Gulf veterans' illnesses research funded by the Ministry of Defence. Some patients who attended the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme have been referred to specialist neurologists who may have used this procedure. Gulf veterans also may have had MRS scans during investigations carried out during their health care under the National Health Service or Defence Medical Services.

Gulf War

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the rate of death of (a) UK Gulf War veterans and (b) other members of the public by motor vehicle accidents was in each year since 1992.

Lewis Moonie: The mortality rates per 10,000 personnel to Gulf veterans due to motor vehicle accidents during the ten-year period 1992–2001 are given below. For comparison purposes the data for a similar sized cohort randomly sampled from United Kingdom armed forces personnel in Service on 1 January 1991 who were not deployed to the Gulf, stratified according to age, gender, Service, Officer status, regular/reservist status and a proxy marker for fitness are also given. Data from the Office for National Statistics for the general population of England and Wales with the same age and gender profile, taking into account the ageing of the Gulf cohort, is also provided.
	
		
			 Year Gulf Era England and Wales 
		
		
			 1992 3.4 1.9 1.7 
			 1993 2.1 1.1 1.3 
			 1994 1.5 1.9 1.2 
			 1995 2.4 0.6 1.1 
			 1996 3.2 1.5 1.1 
			 1997 1.3 2.2 1.1 
			 1998 1.5 1.7 1.0 
			 1999 1.5 1.5 1.0 
			 2000 0.9 1.3 1.0 
			 2001 1.3 0.4 0.9 
			 Ten-year mean 1.9 1.4 1.2 
		
	
	A number of possible explanations have been put forward to explain the excess mortality rate above for Gulf veterans. These include that the veterans may have had some sort of neurological impairment caused by an exposure in the Gulf, that their perception of risk may have been altered by the experience of conflict or that this may have been a disguised form of suicide. We are discussing with the scientific community how best to conduct an analysis of the factors underlying the figures.

Gulf War

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces have retired from their employment on medical grounds in each year since their service in the Gulf war; and what the average annual rate of medical retirements has been in the last 10 years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Army Regiments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Army regiments are running at more than five per cent. below their recommended complement of enlisted men; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many Army regiments are running at more than 10 per cent. below their recommended complement of enlisted men; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is not held by Regiment, but by Arms/Corps. Those Arms/Corps running at more than five per cent below their recommended compliment of enlisted men are shown in the table below:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps -37.79 
			 Army Air Corps -15.81 
			 Royal Army Veterinary Corps -13.99 
			 Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers -11.99 
			 Army Physical Training Corps -10.72 
			 Royal Logistic Corps -10.06 
			 Royal Army Medical Corps -8.50 
			 Corps of Army Music -7.87 
			 Royal Engineers -7.62 
			 Adjutant General's Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) -6.47 
			 Royal Signals -6.12 
		
	
	Those Arms/Corps running at more than ten per cent. below their recommended compliment of enlisted men are shown in the table below:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps -37.79 
			 Army Air Corps -15.81 
			 Royal Army Veterinary Corps -13.99 
			 Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers -11.99 
			 Army Physical Training Corps -10.72 
			 Royal Logistic Corps -10.06 
		
	
	Enlisted men are taken to be all other ranks. All figures are as at 1 September 2002 and for trained personnel only.

Medical Reservists

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medical specialists, and in which specialisations, there are in the Reserves.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Medical Reservists

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to include medical staff in a call up of reservists in respect of planned military action against terrorism.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 31 October 2002
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 4 November 2002, Official Report, column 5W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen). A decision to call-out medical reservists for any future military operations would be made at that time.

UK-owned Equipment

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has had with the governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman concerning the operation of UK-owned and operated equipment of Israeli origin from their territories.

Lewis Moonie: No such discussions have taken place.

Armed Forces' Equipment

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by country the manufacturing supply source of (a) boots and (b) berets used by United Kingdom armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: There are currently 12 companies manufacturing boots (ranging from safety boots to combat boots and uniform dress boots) of which ten are United Kingdom based, one Spanish and the other Italian. Our existing stocks of berets were procured from two United Kingdom based companies. We are currently evaluating tenders from a number of UK and overseas-based companies for a new contract to supply berets for UK Armed Forces.

Warships

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when each of the Type 42 destroyers will decommission.

Lewis Moonie: On current plans the operational decommissioning dates of each Type 42 Destroyer in the Royal Navy are as follows:
	
		
			 Type 42 Destroyer HMS Planned Operational Decommissioning date 
		
		
			 Batch 1 Cardiff 2008 
			  Newcastle 2007 
			  Glasgow 2010 
			 Batch 2 Exeter 2011 
			  Southampton 2012 
			  Nottingham 2012 
			  Liverpool 2010 
			 Batch 3 Manchester 2013 
			  Gloucester 2013 
			  Edinburgh 2014 
			  York 2014

Warships

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of HMS Portland, HMS Kent and HMS St. Albans was.

Lewis Moonie: The costs of HMS Portland, HMS Kent and HMS St. Albans, including construction and installation of on-board systems, such as weapons and communications are shown in the table below:
	
		
			 Ships # million 
		
		
			 HMS Kent 128.062 
			 HMS Portland 124.918 
			 HMS St. Albans 125.659

Warships

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision on the Warship Modernisation Project; how the announcement will be made; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Joint Strike Fighter

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the new STOVL Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.

Lewis Moonie: We announced on 30 September 2002 that the Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has been selected to meet our Future Joint Combat Aircraft (FJCA) requirement. This decision represents a major step forward for the United Kingdom's future expeditionary air power capability, and builds on our unique and valuable knowledge of STOVL aircraft acquired during nearly four decades of operations with Harrier on land and at sea.
	The announcement has also been welcomed by British industry, which is playing a key role in the JSF programme and will help ensure that the UK retains its leading position in a major area of aerospace technology. Indeed, industry estimates that its involvement could be worth up to #27 billion over the whole life of the programme, creating or securing some 8,500 jobs.

Future Integrated Soldier Technology

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the Future Integrated Soldier Technology programme.

Lewis Moonie: The final stage of a competition to choose a Prime Contractor for the Assessment Phase of the Future Integrated Soldier Technology programme is currently underway, involving BAE SYSTEMS Ltd and Thales Optronics Ltd. Selection of a single Prime Contractor is planned for early 2003.

Rotorcraft

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Royal Navy's Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft requirement.

Lewis Moonie: The Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft (SCMR) requirement is to deliver a surveillance and attack capability in open ocean and littoral areas in support of maritime, joint or combined operations using a maritime helicopter operating from assigned frigates and destroyers. The requirement will include targeting, Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine weapon delivery, and battle damage assessment. In addition, it will provide Search and Rescue (SAR), humanitarian support and constabulary capabilities.
	SCMR will succeed and enhance the capability currently provided by the Maritime Lynx Mk3 and Mk8 helicopters. These have, for decades, provided excellent service on our frigates and destroyers, but are nearing the end of their useful life. SCMR will be capable of operating from Type 23 frigates, the Future Surface Combatant, and Type 45 destroyers. SCMR is currently in its Assessment Phase and is planned to be phased into service during the second half of the decade.

Harassment

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the Army indicated when last questioned that they believe that (a) harassment, (b) discrimination and (c) bullying are problems in (i) their immediate area of work and (ii) the Army as a whole; what percentage of those responding this represents; what percentage of actual strength this represents; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: In response to the latest Army Continuous Attitude Survey, 197 members of those surveyed indicated they believed that harassment, discrimination or bullying are problems within their immediate work area; this represents 11 per cent. of those who responded and 5 per cent. of those surveyed. In addition, 878 members of the Army indicated, in the same survey, that they believed harassment, discrimination and bullying are problems within the British Army; this represents 43 per cent. of those who responded and some 22 per cent. of those surveyed.
	The latest survey was undertaken in March–April 2002 and sent to a 4 per cent. random sample of the trained Army (excluding Gurkhas and Full Time Reserve Service); 3,978 questionnaires were sent out and 2,037 were returned.
	[ TWFY editorial note: The same question is asked later the same day, and receives just the reply "I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House." ]

Future Aircraft Carrier Programme

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when an announcement will be made as to the successful tender for the Future Aircraft Carrier programme.

Lewis Moonie: Stage 2 of the CVF Assessment phase completes on 20 November. We then intend to select a preferred contractor not on the basis of a traditional bid analysis but through an assessment of the contractors' performance and output since the start of the Assessment phase in November 1999. An announcement on the preferred contractor is scheduled for early next year.

Future Aircraft Carrier Programme

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Future Aircraft Carrier programme.

Lewis Moonie: The Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme is progressing well and the recent announcement of the innovative adaptable design is evidence of this. Risk reduction and design work is continuing and we remain on course to select our preferred contractor early next year and approve investment in the build programme at the end of 2003. The In Service Dates of the two ships remain 2012 and 2015 respectively.

Future Aircraft Carrier Programme

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs he estimates will be created through the design and manufacture of the Future Aircraft Carriers in the UK.

Lewis Moonie: It is still too early in the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme to make an accurate forecast of the number of jobs that will be created or sustained by the CVF programme. Much will depend on the shipbuild strategy adopted by the preferred prime contractor and the split of work between the participating construction and final assembly facilities. However, taking into account the supply chain, the programme may involve around 10,000 jobs throughout the United Kingdom.

Future Aircraft Carrier Programme

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what aircraft will be for the Future Aircraft Carrier programme.

Lewis Moonie: The primary aircraft for the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) will be the Joint Combat Aircraft. The Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter has been identified as the aircraft with the best potential to fulfil that role and this was reinforced by the announcement on 30 September that we had selected the Short Take Off Vertical Landing variant to operate from CVF. The ships will also carry Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft and helicopters from all three services in a variety of roles.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what strategies his Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Lewis Moonie: Equality of opportunity for all staff is a key feature of Civil Service employment. The Ministry of Defence's personnel and employment policies and procedures have been subject to equality-proofing, including the removal of any unfair discrimination on the basis of age. To underpin this, the MOD has a programme of action on equality and diversity involving the training and development of line and personnel managers, and the monitoring of recruitment, selection and performance management statistics. Training in equal opportunities is mandatory for all recruitment panel members.
	In addition, the MOD, like other Departments, has conducted a thorough review of its age retirement policy in light of the Government's commitment to tackle ageism in the workplace as set out in the Code of Practice for Age Diversity in Employment published in 1999.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of new recruits to his Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The information requested is shown in the tables:
	
		
			   Under 50 50 and over Total % Over 50 
		
		
			 Financial Year 2001–2002 Ministry of Defence 4,443 1,289 5,732 22.5 
			  Trading Funds 1,141 223 1,374 16.2 
			   
			  Total 5,584 1,512 7,106 21.3 
		
	
	
		
			   Under 50 50 and over Total % Over 50 
		
		
			 Financial Year 2000–2001 Ministry of Defence 5,200 1,348 6,548 20.6 
			  Trading Funds 1,134 116 1,251 9.3 
			   
			  Total 6,334 1,464 7,799 18.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures exclude casual and Royal Fleet Auxiliary staff.
	2. The following methods of recruitment have been included recruitment by CSC, by Department, Re-instatement/Re-employment and unknown.
	3. Where the parts do not equal the sum a number of staff with ''unknown'' age were identified.
	4. Financial years run from 1 April to the 31 March.

Invincible Class Carriers

Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that bids to build the replacement for the Invincible Class Carriers take account of UK dry dock facilities; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: In line with Government policy on warship construction the Royal Navy's two new Future Aircraft Carriers (CVFs) will be built in the United Kingdom. This is clearly understood by both of the candidate prime contractors for CVF—BAE SYSTEMS and Thales—and as part of their work to date they have assessed the capabilities of a number of sites throughout the United Kingdom that have the potential to participate in the build (construction and outfitting of modules or blocks of the vessel) and assembly (the joining together of the blocks into a whole ship in a suitable dry dock). No final decisions have yet been made.

Recruitment

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent in recruiting staff to his Department in (a) London and (b) the south east in each year since 1997.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Aircraft Landings

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian aircraft landings and take-offs were recorded at RAF Machrihanish during each of the last five years.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence does not hold records of civilian aircraft movements. The Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd lease part of the RAF Machrihanish site, known as Campbeltown Airport, and are not able to provide the information sought.

Research Projects

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list research projects his Department (a) has funded in the last five years and (b) is funding into the health outcomes of (i) service personnel who participated in UK nuclear tests and (ii) their offspring.

Lewis Moonie: In the last five years the Ministry of Defence has funded a study by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) into the incidence of multiple myeloma, other cancers and other causes of death amongst nuclear test veterans. This study follows on from two earlier studies, the results of which were published in 1988 and 1993. The results of this third study are expected to be published early next year. Funding is also provided to the NRPB for the maintenance of a database that has been used during the compilation of these studies.
	No funding has been provided for health studies of the offspring of nuclear test veterans. Current information on radiation health effects suggests that studies of cancer among people exposed to radiation are likely to prove a more sensitive means of detecting such effects than studies of their children. There is no scientific or medical evidence that shows that the health or other physical problems suffered by the offspring of nuclear test veterans can be attributed to their father's or grandfather's participation in the test programme.

Afghanistan

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost to date is of maintaining British troops in Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: The cost of Operations in Afghanistan for 2001–2002 was estimated to be #261 million and this was published in Spring Supplementary Estimates.
	I will write to my hon. Friend shortly concerning expenditure in 2001–2002 and 2002–2003 and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Afghanistan

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of UK operations in Afghanistan has been since 11 September; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 21 May 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Diversification Council

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Defence Diversification Council has been established; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Diversification Council is currently being set-up. It will be chaired by my hon. Friend, the Under Secretary of State for Defence, and will include representation from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Regional Assemblies, Trade Unions and Industry.

Defence Export Services

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Mr. Tony Edwards resigned as Head of Defence Export Services.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Gates of Remembrance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with representatives of the Gates of Remembrance Appeal; and what discussions he has had with the (a) Royal British Legion, (b) Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, (c) Army Benevolent Fund, (d) RAF Association, (e) Royal Navy Association and (f) War Widows Association of Great Britain about that appeal.

Adam Ingram: Although no specific discussions have taken place with representatives from the Gates of Remembrance Appeal numerous wide ranging discussions have taken place with those other bodies mentioned. In accordance with the long established policy of successive Governments, the cost of erecting war memorials or their subsequent maintenance is not met from public funds but from private donations or public subscription.

Scientific Advisory Council

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council, and in each case his or her employer.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Scientific Advisory Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body; it consists of an Independent chairman and eight other independents. In addition a number of senior Ministry of Defence officials are members of the Council.
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Independent Chairman 
			 Professor A Ledwith Retired  
			 Independent Members 
			 Professor R Needham Microsoft Research Ltd (Cambridge) 
			 Dr. D J Price Rolls Royce—Marine 
			 Mr. P J Stein Roke Manor Research Ltd 
			 Dr. A L Mears QinetiQ plc 
			 Dr. L V Bennett Risk Solutions 
			 Professor P G Blain University of Newcastle upon Tyne 
			 Professor A J Kinloch Imperial College, University of London 
			 Professor R Voles R V Consultancy  Official Members from MoD and OGDs Air Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup Lt Gen R C Menzies Mr. G H B Jordan Mr. M Earwicker Mr. P Roper, Mr. P D Ewins Professor D King CSA to the Government Dr. A Keddy Department of Trade & Industry

PFI Projects

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) start and (b) end dates are of the (i) material handling equipment, (ii) TAFMIS, (iii) defence fixed telecommunications service, (iv) hawk simulator, (v) attack helicopters training-Apache simulator, (vi) defence intelligence system, (vii) Tornado GR4 simulator, (viii) naval communications, (ix) RAF Sentry E3D aircrew, (x) ASTUTE training service, (xi) heavy equipment transporters, (xii) strategic sealift (ro-ro ferries) and (xiii) field electrical power supplies PFI projects and contracts.

Adam Ingram: The start and end dates for the specified PFI projects are shown below:
	
		
			  Project Name Contract signed Service start date Contract end year 
		
		
			 i Materials Handling Equipment May 2002 August 2002 2010 
			 Ii TAFMIS August 1996 August 1996 2006 
			 Iii Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service (DFTS) July 1997 June 1998(1) 2007 
			 Iv Hawk Simulator December 1997 December 1999 2015 
			 V Attack Helicopters Training-Apache Simulator July 1998 January 2002 2028 
			 Vi Defence Intelligence System June 1999 October 1999 2006 
			 Vii Tornado GR4 Simulator June 1999 Not yet started 2031 
			 Viii Royal Navy Fleet Communications Service June 2000 Not yet started 2027 
			 Ix RAF Sentry E3D Aircrew—(E3D Simulator) August 2000 February 2002 2030 
			 X ASTUTE Training Service November 2001 Not yet started 2031 
			 Xi Heavy Equipment Transporters December 2001 Not yet started 2024 
			 Xii Strategic Sealift (Ro-Ro Ferries) June 2002 Not yet started 2024 
			 Xiii Field Electrical Power Supplies July 2002 Not yet started 2022 
		
	
	Note:
	(1) The exact Service Start date for DFTS cannot be specified as the contract was subject to a one year Transition Period whilst the existing Networks where transferred to BT.

Deepcut Barracks

Mr. Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what professional mental health assistance is given to recruits at the Deepcut barracks; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The medical centre at Deepcut barracks provides recruits with primary health care. The medical centre's establishment comprises a Civilian Medical Practitioner and full time practice nurse who look after patients' medical problems, both physical and mental. Should further referral for diagnosis and/or management of a mental health problem be considered necessary, referral would normally be to the Community Psychiatric Department in Aldershot, where Consultant Psychiatrist and Community Psychiatric Nursing services are available. At weekends, urgent cases would be referred to the Duchess of Kent Psychiatric Hospital at Catterick.

Nuclear Weapons Tests

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what papers have been published (a) in referred journals and (b) as departmental monographs on the health impact on observers of British atmospheric nuclear weapons tests since 1990; and if he will place copies of each in the Library.

Lewis Moonie: In December 1993 the report was published of a study carried out by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence entitled Mortality and Cancer Incidence 1952–1990 in UK Participants in the UK Atmospheric Nuclear Weapon Tests and Experimental Programmes. Findings from the study were published after peer review in the British Medical Journal, Volume 307, pages 1530–5, dated December 1993. A copy of the NRPB report is already available in the Library of the House.
	The MOD has not published any monographs on this subject.

European Rapid Reaction Force

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department has provided foreign countries to develop tank ammunition and weaponry composed of depleted uranium, and depleted uranium components; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

European Rapid Reaction Force

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress has been made toward the establishment of a European Rapid Reaction Force; and what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts regarding the issue.

Geoff Hoon: There is no standing European Rapid Reaction Force. Under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), the EU will undertake crisis management operations where NATO as a whole is not engaged. Forces for these operations will be provided voluntarily by Member States, and in some cases by others. (The same arrangement applies for NATO and UN crisis management operations.)
	I discuss ESDP with European counterparts frequently. EU Defence Ministers last met collectively to discuss ESDP and other matters on 4–5 October.

European Rapid Reaction Force

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much depleted uranium was used in bombing campaigns by UK forces in (a) Kosovo during the recent conflict, (b) Serbia during the conflict over Kosovo and (c) Afghanistan in 2001–02.

Adam Ingram: None.

Depleted Uranium

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of weapons containing depleted uranium are held in (a) United Kingdom bases and (b) by United Kingdom forces operating in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: I am withholding details in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Depleted Uranium

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much depleted uranium was used in bombing campaigns by United Kingdom forces in (a) the 1990–91 Gulf War and (b) bombing campaigns over Iraq since 1991.

Adam Ingram: No depleted uranium was used in bombing campaigns by United Kingdom forces in the 1990–1991 Gulf Conflict or in bombing campaigns over Iraq since 1991.

Depleted Uranium

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has collated on the effects of depleted uranium exposure on the (a) military personnel and (b) civilian population in Iraq since 1991; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Many independent reports have been produced that consider the battlefield effects of using depleted uranium (DU) munitions, but none has found widespread DU contamination sufficient to affect the health of the general population or deployed personnel.
	The Ministry of Defence has no information on exposure of Iraqi military personnel or civilians to DU. We support proposals by the World Health Organisation to carry out studies to address public health issues in Iraq, including a proposal to explore health effects of environmental risk factors, including DU. The proposals were sent to the Iraq Ministry of Public Health in October 2001 but there has been no response.
	3,339 United Kingdom military personnel who served in the Gulf Conflict have now been seen by the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (GVMAP). Physicians at the GVMAP examine all those attending for signs of ill health that could be attributed to exposure to DU, but no such evidence has been found to date.
	Under the auspices of the independent Depleted Uranium Oversight Board a test for DU in urine is currently being developed and we hope to be able to make it available to all those who wish to be tested in the first half of next year. In parallel with this, we will also carry out an epidemiological study which will examine the link between exposure to DU and health.
	No UK troops who served in the Gulf experienced the highest level of DU. However, 33 United States soldiers were exposed to DU when their vehicles were accidentally hit by DU rounds of whom 17 have embedded DU shrapnel. Their health is closely monitored by the US Government and so far has shown no signs of health problems attributable to DU.

Nuclear Test Veterans

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what negotiations have been undertaken with the representatives of nuclear test veterans; what compensation has been offered; what agreement has been reached; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has had no recent negotiations with representatives of nuclear test veterans. There are no grounds for general compensation for those who participated in the British atmospheric nuclear tests in the 1950s. Veterans who believe that their health has been affected by participation in the tests may apply for a War Pension.

Volunteer Reservists

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many volunteer reservists have enlisted as sponsored reserves since the programme's inspection; and what the recruitment targets were for sponsored reserves when the programme was introduced.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Nuclear Installations

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the meaning of the phrase "strengthen the arrangements for consequence management," in paragraph 27 of the Government response to the Defence Select Committee report on Defence and Security in the UK, HC 1230, Session 2001–02, in respect of the vulnerability of nuclear installations to terrorist attack.

Adam Ingram: Discussions have taken place involving several Government Departments, the Office for Civil Nuclear Security, the Health and Safety Executive, local authorities, the police and other emergency services, to review the roles and capabilities of those authorities likely to be required to respond to a nuclear incident. Specific importance has been attached to improving co-ordination, communication and the provision of specialist capabilities.

Missile Defence

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates have been made of the cost of United Kingdom participation in national missile defence; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: No precise estimates can be made at this stage. The United States itself has made no decision on the final shape of its overall missile defence architecture and its final costs have yet to be determined. There are no specific options for the deployment of missile defences for the United Kingdom to assess, and no decision has been made on the acquisition of missile defences.

Missile Defence

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations have been received from research bodies on peace campaigns concerning national missile defence; and if they will be published by his Department.

Geoff Hoon: The Ministry of Defence has received numerous representations from various bodies and individuals concerning missile defence; publication of their letters is a matter for them.

Missile Defence

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have been held with other NATO member states on the cost, timescale and purpose of national missile defence.

Geoff Hoon: NATO is studying the options for missile defence specifically for the protection of deployed forces, in addition to discussions on a wider range of missile defence issues. The United Kingdom participates in these NATO discussions, and also engages NATO allies bilaterally on missile defence issues as part of our regular contacts.

Missile Defence

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure has been incurred at (a) RAF Fylingdales and (b) Menwith Hill in connection with National Missile Defence; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: We have not received a request from the United States to site elements of missile defence in the United Kingdom, and have not incurred expenditure on any works at RAF Fylingdales or RAF Menwith Hill in preparation for, or anticipation of, any such request.

Iraq

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost to date is of maintaining the British force in support of the no-fly zone in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: Our records do not separately identify expenditure incurred in maintaining the no fly zones. However, the table below sets out the overall additional expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence as a direct result of operations in the Gulf from 1992–1993 onwards.
	
		
			 Year # Million 
		
		
			 1992–93 551 
			 1993–94 179 
			 1994–95 58 
			 1995–96 14 
			 1996–97 6 
			 1997–98 16 
			 1998–99 35 
			 1999–2000 28 
			 2000–01 25 
			 2001–02 (estimate) 22(2) 
			 2002–03 (estimate) 26(2) 
		
	
	Note:
	(2) denotes figure calculated on a resource basis; all previous figures are cash-based.
	I will write to my hon. Friend concerning expenditure in 2001–2002 and 2002–2003 and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Iraq

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations have been received from the government of Cyprus or members of the Cypriot public concerning the use of United Kingdom sovereign bases in Cyprus in preparation for a future conflict with Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: No decision regarding the commitment of United Kingdom Armed Forces to any potential conflict in Iraq has yet been taken. Military action is neither imminent nor inevitable.

Iraq

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF sorties over Iraq there have been (a) north of 30th parallel and (b) south of 30th parallel not covered by the no-fly zone in the last year and what the total volume of explosives dropped in each area was.

Geoff Hoon: The northern no-fly zone covers the area of Iraq lying north of the 36th parallel. The southern no-fly zone covers the area lying south of the 33rd.
	The RAF takes part in Coalition patrols within the no-fly zones. There have been no sorties by the RAF in the free-fly area between the two zones in the last year.

Enron

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings (a) he and (b) his senior departmental officials have had with Enron and its subsidiaries in the last two years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Volunteers

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Television Sets

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) analogue and (b) integrated digital television sets his Department has purchased in each of the last 24 months; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Capita

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many contracts the Department has with Capita.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Criminal Damage

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost has been of criminal damage to his Department's buildings in each of the last four years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Thematic Networks Programme

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are taken to ensure that EU funding provided to Israel under the Thematic networks programme is not used for projects which could have military applications.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Saville Inquiry

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs have been incurred since 19th December 2001 by his Department in connection with the Saville Inquiry; and what his estimate is of the final cost to his Department.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Radio Spectrum

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 November 2001, Official Report, column 917W, on the radio spectrum, if the review has reported to Ministers; if he will publish the review and any conclusions he has made as a result; and what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and (b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding his findings.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Entertainment

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by Ministers in his Department on food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for entertainment purposes in each of the last five years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Entertainment

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost was of the Department's 2001 staff Christmas Party; and how many people attended.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Special Advisers

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times special advisers have accompanied Ministers on overseas visits in each of the last five years; which countries were visited; and what the total cost of each individual visit was.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Special Advisers

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by departmental special advisers on food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for entertainment purposes in each of the last five years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Special Advisers

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many special advisers were employed by him (a) between 1 May and 31 December 1997 and (b) in each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive; and what the total amount spent on special advisers by the Department was for each of those years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Special Advisers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and expected cost to his Department of special advisers in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  on how many occasions between 31 March 2001 and 31 March 2002 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost;
	(2)  when he will answer the question from the hon. Member for Chichester, tabled on 22 May, on the official travel of departmental and non-departmental special advisers;
	(3)  on how many occasions between 31 March 2001 and 31 March 2002 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Accommodation

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are paying (a) nothing or (b) a discounted rate for accommodation on the ground of its being below standard; and if he will provide the information for each service.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Accommodation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) service family accommodation and (b) single living accommodation units were of (i) grade one, (ii) grade two, (iii) grade three and (iv) grade four standard in each year between 1997 and 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Reserves

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest figures are for both establishment and strength for each service and their respective reserve forces.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the cost in 2001–02 was of the pay increase to staff in his Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible; and what the cost of the forthcoming increase will be in 2002–03;
	(2)  how many staff have been employed by his Department in each of the last 10 years;
	(3)  how many and what proportion of the staff of his Department are (a) job sharing, (b) term working and (c) engaged in another form of flexible working.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Staff

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of his departmental budget he estimates is spent on staff pay; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 4 July 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces (Health Care)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many armed forces personnel have been treated in the private sector under (a) the ATRA secondary health care initiative, (b) the Waiting List Initiative, (c) the Rapid Treatment Initiative and (d) psychiatric care in each month in 2002; and what the total cost was of that treatment;
	(2)  how many (a) officers and (b) personnel from other ranks received medical treatment in the private sector in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 2002.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

32 (The Royal) Squadron

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much per hour the RAF charges other Government departments for flying with 32 (The Royal) Squadron; and what proportion of this charge represents the operational costs of the Squadron at Northolt.

Lewis Moonie: The hourly charge for 32 (The Royal) Squadron aircraft for the current financial year is:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 BAe 146 #1,574 (VAT not applicable) 
			 BAe 125 #740 (plus VAT for United Kingdom internal flights) 
			 Twin Squirrel #988 (plus VAT for United Kingdom internal flights) 
		
	
	It has been assumed that by ''operational costs'' the hon. Member is referring to the operating cost of 32 (The Royal) Squadron. As such I can confirm that the charges quoted comprise entirely of the variable cost of operating the aircraft and no fixed operating costs of the Squadron are included. The charges include engineering and airframe support costs, costs incurred for handling and landing at civil airports, fuel and travel and subsistence. Unlike the BAe 125 and 146, the Twin Squirrel is a wholly leased aircraft and the charge applied represents the contracted cost of the aircraft.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him yesterday by my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Alexander).

32 (The Royal) Squadron

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flight hours Government ministers have flown during each year since 1997–98 using the jets of 32 (The Royal) Squadron based at Northolt; and how many flight hours each Government department has utilised each year with the jets of 32 (The Royal) Squadron since 1997–98.

Adam Ingram: For information relating to Ministerial use of RAF aircraft, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him yesterday by my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Alexander).
	The information requested regarding flight hours is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Departments 1997–1998 1998–1999 1999–2000 2000–2001  2001–2002 2002–2003* 
		
		
			 FCO 2 6 10 34 35 2 
			 Treasury 0 0 2 0 0 2 
			 Ministry of Defence 2,317 1,991 1,602 1,831 2,006 881 
			 Home Office 0 0 8 6 0 0 
			 Culture Media and Sport 0 1 2 6 0 0 
			  
			 Total 2,319 1,998 1,624 1,877 2,041 885 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Government Department figures do not include Ministers travel.
	2. Ministry of Defence use reflects the fact that MOD personnel of all ranks/grades (as necessary) utilise these aircraft in times of crisis and war for operational purposes. Additionally, in peacetime, when not engaged in these tasks, MOD personnel use the resultant irreducible spare capacity for other communication flying tasks.
	* Figures to 30 September.

Defence Exports

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the financial and organisational support provided by the Defence Export Services Organisation to UK industry attending the (a) Aid and Trade International, Switzerland, (b) Pacific 2002, Australia, (c) Asian Air, Singapore, (d) DEFEXPOL, India, (e) FIDEA, Chile, (f) DSA Malaysia, Malaysia, (g) Eurosatory, France, (h) Africa Aerodef, South Africa, (i) Defendory, Greece, (j) Sofex, Jordan, (k) Euronaval, France and (l) Euronaval, Chile arms fairs.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Combat Helmets

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to provide a combat helmet of the same standard of ballistics protection as the rest of NATO forces.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

C-17 Aircraft

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many C-17 aircraft are being leased; what plans he has to alter that number; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Nimrod MRA 4

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the compensation due from BAE Systems for the slippage in the in-service date of the Nimrod MRA4.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Missiles

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many missiles were fired out to sea in the UK in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Coalfield Constituencies

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of his Department's establishments are located in coalfield constituencies.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Accountancy Contracts

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts agreed by his Department with the five largest accountancy firms since May 1997; and what was the total value of contracts with each.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many appointments to public bodies have been made through his Department (a) from April 2000 to March 2001 and (b) since 31 March 2001; and how many of these were (i) men and (ii) women.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Market Testing

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the functions of his Department that have been (a) market tested and (b) outsourced in each of the last five years, specifying the (i) money saving and (ii) percentage saving in each case.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Timber

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies from which his Department have obtained timber and wood products and the total spent with each firm over the last five years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Contracts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the 30 largest contracts awarded by his Department from (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999, (c) May 1999 to April 2000, (d) May 2000 to April 2001 and (e) May 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, stating in each case the values of the contracts and the companies with which the contracts were placed.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Royal Irish Regiment

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what differential there is between the statutory employment rights enjoyed by (a) personnel serving with the Royal Irish Regiment and civilian staff employed by his Department and (b) other employees in the United Kingdom.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Army Utilities Management

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings have accrued from the improvements to the Army's utilities management in Germany.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 18 March 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Justices of the Peace

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of staff at his Department are justices of the peace; and if he has a strategy for his Department to encourage members of staff to become justices of the peace.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Private Finance Initiative projects have been subject to refinancing after the contracts have been signed; and what has been the financial effect in each case.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Private Finance Initiative

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the products of PFI projects will be used by private companies and hired out to the armed services when they are needed; and what arrangements will exist for control by the armed forces of such projects.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the total salary costs of each of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible in each of the last five years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the target has been in each of the last five years for efficiency savings as a percentage of total running costs for each of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible; and if the target was met.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

UN Peacekeeping

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his written answer of 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 558W, on UN peacekeeping, how many students have to date attended the Army's 10-day international peace support briefing programmes; and from what countries.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Smart Cards

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of smart card technology in his Department and in the areas for which it is responsible; and what discussions he has had with private companies about the use of smart card technology within his Department.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Water Coolants

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the building projects under construction; and what coolant will be used for the building services water chilling system for such projects.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Defence Missions

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the operations that have been undertaken under each of the defence missions outlined by the Strategic Defence Review in each year since 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 25 April 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Jobs (Scotland)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of (a) Civil Service, (b) executive agencies and (c) non-departmental public body jobs under the remit of his Department are located in Scotland; and how many of each have been relocated to Scotland since May 1997.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Law Enforcement

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what law enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities designated with legislation there are within the responsibility of his Department; and what complaints procedure is available for each.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Anglo-Italian Ministerial Meetings

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last six months (a) he and (b) his officials have met their Italian counterparts; and what subjects were discussed.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 16 May 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by his Department on paying pensions to retired employees of his Department in 2001–02; if he will estimate the corresponding amounts to be spent in (a) five years' time, (b) 10 years' time, (c) 20 years' time and (d) 30 years' time; if he will estimate in each case the proportion of such liabilities which will arise from (i) unfunded pension schemes and (ii) pre-funded pension schemes; and in the case of pre-funded schemes, if he will estimate the value of the corresponding pre-funded funds in each of these years.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 20 May 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money was spent by the relevant pension fund on paying pensions to retired members of the armed forces in 2001–02; if he will estimate the corresponding amounts to be spent in (a) five years' time, (b) 10 years' time, (c) 20 years' time and (d) 30 years' time; if he will estimate in each case the proportion of such liabilities which will arise from (i) unfunded pension schemes and (ii) pre-funded pension schemes; and in the case of pre-funded schemes, if he will estimate the value of the corresponding pre-funded funds in each of these years.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Pensions

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications for war disablement pensions were made by (a) members of the Mercantile Marine and (b) other eligible branches of the armed forces in respect of skin cancer and other associated conditions have been (i) upheld and (ii) rejected by tribunals in each of the past 20 years, for which figures are available.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Work-related Illness

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many claims for work-related illness were settled by his Department in the last year for which records are available; and what the cost was in compensation;
	(2)  how many employees of his Department retired through work-related ill-health in the last year for which records are available; and what the cost was to the Department;
	(3)  how many days of sick leave were taken by employees in his Department in the last year for which records are available; what proportion of those were due to work-related illness or injury; and what the cost was to the Department.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 20 May 2002
	I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Redundant Nuclear Warheads

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what opportunities exist for United Kingdom defence companies and research bodies to assist Russia in (a) the dismantling of its redundant nuclear warheads and (b) immobilization of surplus plutonium from dismantled warheads, arising from the new nuclear weapons reduction agreement between Russia and the United States;
	(2)  what opportunities exist for British technology and defence companies to assist the United States in the immobilization of surplus plutonium from dismantled redundant nuclear warheads arising from the new nuclear weapons reduction agreement between Russia and the United States.

Geoff Hoon: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Luton, South

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what monies have been provided (a) directly and (b) via agencies for which the Department has responsibility to the Luton, South constituency since 1997.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Tax Refunds

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why calculations of tax refunds being made to individuals identified as having been taxed incorrectly on retired pay awarded since 1952 does not take into account negative Treasury interest rates applied throughout the 1970s; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Tax Refunds

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason calculations of tax refunds being made to individuals identified as having been taxed incorrectly on retired pay awarded since 1952 have been based on simple interest; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Written Questions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of ordinary written Questions for his Department were answered within a week of tabling in each month since June 2001; and what proportion of questions for named day received a substantive answer on that day in each month since June 2001.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Staff Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much the Department has spent on staff training and development in each of the last five years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what has been the (a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced;
	(2)  what the (a) cost and (b) saving has been from the Department's pursuit of Service Delivery Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Grants

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which organisations which were in receipt of a grant from him in 1997–98 no longer are; what the annual saving is; which organisations which were not in receipt of a grant in 1997–98 now are; and what the annual cost is.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Ministerial Meetings

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Ministers and officials had meetings with representatives of (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Engineering Employees Federation, and (c) the Engineering Marine Training Authority during the last year; who they met; and what the subjects and outcomes of their discussions were.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Official Photographers

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions during the last 12 months an official photographer has accompanied (a) him and (b) other Ministers in his Department on official visits (i) overseas and (ii) within the UK; what (A) travel expenses, (B) costs of equipment and processing, (C) staff payment and (D) other costs were incurred; what publications official photographs have appeared in during the last 12 months and what terms and conditions were attached to the publication of such photographs; and whether photographs taken on official visits are available for use in non-governmental literature.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Competitive Tendering

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last 12 months the requirement to engage in a competitive tendering process has been waived by his Department due to national security obligations under paragraph 6(h) of the supply regulations.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Statutory Instruments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many statutory instruments have been (a) introduced, (b) removed and (c) amended by his Department since 1st January; and what the (i) cost and (ii) saving has been in each case.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Energy Costs

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of energy use in his Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Public Inquiries (Phone Lines)

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on using 0870 telephone numbers for inquiries by the public to the Department and its agencies.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Buildings Insurance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of buildings insurance to his Department was (a) before and (b) after 11 September 2001.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Public Service Agreements

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of the public service agreements of his Department set out in the document Public Services for the Future 1998 have been met; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 10 July 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Empty Properties

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the empty residential properties in each London borough in the ownership of his Department and its agencies, giving (a) the type of accommodation, (b) how long each property has been vacant and (c) what the intended future use is of the property.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Aircraft Carriers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs will be created in Portsmouth by making it the home for new aircraft carriers; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Sustainable Development

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the interdepartmental discussions on Criterion 8 of the Consolidated Criteria relating to sustainable development.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Education and Training

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the annual cost of education and training in each service in each year since 1997.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Employment Costs

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the employment costs, including benefits, of (a) all ministers representing his Department and (b) special advisers and their support staff retained by his Department.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Anglo-French Discussions

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what recent discussions ministers and officials have had with the French Government about French participation in the United Kingdom aircraft carrier programme;
	(2)  whether the possibility of France joining in the United Kingdom aircraft carrier programme will be a factor to be taken into account in the decision to award the contract to Thales or BAe Systems.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

SA80 Rifles

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if SA80 rifles have been withdrawn from his Department's stocks for export.

Adam Ingram: No. However, we are currently considering options for dealing with the expected excess of SA80 A1 weapons that do not require upgrading to the A2 version.

HMS Albion

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what technical difficulties have been encountered in the construction of HMS Albion; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: HMS Albion is the first of a new class of Landing Platform Dock vessels. She is being constructed by BAE Systems Marine Ltd at their Barrow in Furness shipyard. Technical difficulties encountered during her construction have been largely due to the use of a computer aided design tool that was new to the shipyard, immature design information being released for production, the use of modern build techniques and some novel warship design features such as the diesel/electric propulsion system. It is not unusual for technical issues to arise during the design and construction of the first of such a complex warship class and BAE Systems are working hard to overcome each of the issues. A revised programme for Albion has been agreed with BAE Systems Marine and she is expected to enter service in July 2003. The company is making stringent efforts to recover up to seven weeks of that slippage.

Medical Specialists

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many medical specialists, and in which specialisations, there are in the Reserves; [78319b]
	(2)  what plans he has to (a) call up and (b) put on notice members of the defence medical services reserve forces; whether this will include former TA field hospitals; which specialities are being put on notice for call up in order to supplement regular defence medical services field hospitals and other facilities; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Military Equipment (Gifts)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what items of military equipment have been given as a gift to another state, and when, since June 1997; and what the estimated value of the gift was in each case.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Eurofighter

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many orders have been received for the Eurofighter (Typhoon).

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mercantile Marine

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many applications for war disablement pensions were made by members of the Mercantile Marine, in each of the last 20 years for which figures are available; and how many of these were (a) accepted and (b) rejected;
	(2)  how many applications were made for war disablement pensions by members of the eligible branches of the armed forces, other than members of the Mercantile Marine, in each of the past 20 years for which figures are available; and of these, how many were (a) accepted and (b) rejected.

Lewis Moonie: The tables set out the figures available relating to applications for war disablement pension, from members of the Mercantile Marine and eligible members of the Armed Forces. A separate figure for rejected claims is not available. Information on applications before 1996 is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	
		Mercantile Marine
		
			  2001–2002 2000–2001 1999–2000 1998–1999 1997–1998 1996–1997 
		
		
			 Received 83 98 97 97 187 265 
			 Cleared(3) 78 113 115 138 225 403 
			 Awarded 37 42 43 32 34 185 
			 Rejected or withdrawn 41 71 72 106 191 218 
		
	
	
		Armed Forces
		
			  2001–2002 2000–2001 1999–2000 1989–1999 1997–1998 1996–1997 
		
		
			 Received 9,620 10,799 11,599 13,807 16,778 26,842 
			 Cleared(3) 11,106 10,809 13,128 13,286 22,352 34,385 
			 Awarded 9,696 9,335 11,187 11,231 18,729 29,315 
			 Rejected or withdrawn 1,410 1,474 1,941 2,055 3,623 5,070 
		
	
	Note:
	(3) May include claims uncleared from the previous year.

Unexploded Ordnance

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what changes there have been to the British Army's practice in clearing unexploded ordnance in foreign training grounds used by our forces since his Department's payment of compensation to the victims of British munitions in Kenya;
	(2)  whether his Department has adopted guidelines to ensure that all unexploded munitions are cleared from foreign military training grounds used by British forces.

Adam Ingram: The British Army employs the same robust procedures for clearing unexploded ordnance overseas as it does in the United Kingdom. In Kenya there has been an increase in Explosive Ordnance Clearance (EOC) in the last two years, in order to minimise the risk to local civilians. This work includes the location and destruction of unexploded munitions irrespective of which nation's armed forces have fired them. No change in practice have been made subsequent to compensation payments.

Unexploded Ordnance

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to contract clearance of unexploded ordnance at foreign military training sites used by British forces to specialist firms with appropriate expertise.

Adam Ingram: There are currently no plans for the Ministry of Defence to contract out ordnance clearance on foreign military training sites.

Unexploded Ordnance

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Kenyan nationals are locally employed in assisting the British Army to clear unexploded ordnance at the Archer's Post training ground in Kenya; and how much of the training ground has been cleared.

Adam Ingram: The British Army employs two Locally Employed Civilians (LECs) as Range Officers on behalf of the Kenyan Department of Defence (DoD). These LECs do not participate in the destruction of munitions, as this is the responsibility of Army personnel. The British Army conducts clearance operations on all areas of ranges that it uses for live firing.

Unexploded Ordnance

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision the British Army has made to educate Kenyan civilians who live and work near the military training ground at Archer's Post about associated dangers.

Adam Ingram: Each year, the British Army conducts an education programme for the local civilians regarding the hazards of unexploded munitions. This informs people in the Archer's Post area, including the nomadic farmers, of the different types of Kenyan and other munitions that they might find in the area.

John Bredenkamp

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contacts his Department's officials have had in the last three years with (a) John Bredenkamp and (b) companies controlled by or associated with John Bredenkamp.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence has extensive contact with industry and individuals. It would therefore entail disproportionate costs to establish what contacts the Department's officials have had with particular individuals or companies in the last three years. The Government is aware of the allegations made against the named individual in the UN Panel Report, and the appropriate authorities are looking into them.

State Opening of Parliament

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel took part in the ceremony for the State Opening of Parliament in 2001; and how many he estimates will take part in 2002.

Adam Ingram: The number of Armed Forces personnel who took part in the ceremony for the State Opening of Parliament in 2001 was 1,121. Five hundred and twenty personnel will participate in 2002. This reduction is the result of preparatory deployments against the contingency of industrial action by the Fire Brigade Union.

Servicemen (Absenteeism)

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many servicemen are absent without leave from their units; and what the figure was on 1 October 2001.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 24 October 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Eurofighter Typhoon

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Eurofighter Typhoons will be ordered by the armed forces; and when the armed forces will take delivery of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 878W to the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack). There has been no change in the Government's commitment to the Eurofighter Typhoon. The Royal Air Force expects to take delivery of its total fleet of aircraft during the next 12 years.

Parliamentary Questions

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will answer the question of 22 July from the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is still being collated. Once this is available, I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what public consultations have been commenced by his Department in each month since 10 October; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Adam Ingram: None.

Royal Ordnance (Bishopton)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the NAO report on the Royal Ordnance factory at Bishopton will be published.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

HEALTH

GP Lists

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average general practitioner list in Worthing West.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally.

NHS Staff (Confidentiality)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish his Department's new code of practice on confidentiality and consent for people working in the National Health Service.

John Hutton: ''Confidentiality: A Code of Practice for NHS Staff'' is expected to be published in spring 2003 following a public consultation exercise running from 22 October 2002 to 31 January 2003.

Obesity

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received in the past 12 months about obesity matters from (a) hon. and right hon. Members, (b) organisations and (c) members of the public.

Hazel Blears: Over the past year the Department has received 31 Parliamentary Questions, 34 letters from hon. and right hon. Members, and 15 letters from organisations and the general public directly concerning obesity matters.

NHS Lists

Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average NHS patient list size for (a) general practitioners and (b) dental practitioners, broken down by each primary care trust in England.

John Hutton: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Correspondence

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department is doing to improve its performance in providing replies to (a) letters and (b) questions from hon. Members.

Hazel Blears: Following the events and review of procedures described in the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 25 March 2002 Official Report, column 751W, we have made many improvements to our parliamentary unit, including additional staff, better accommodation, setting up a new electronic tracking system, and enhanced monitoring and oversight of work flows and working practices. We envisage that these measures will lead to faster response times in the Department's handling of Members' questions.
	Change programmes are being established in all Government Departments, designed to build capacity for high performance. The expectation is that departments will achieve a step change in performance in line with the four principles set out in Reforming Our Public Services: Principles into Practice, published in March 2002.
	In terms of correspondence, a customer service project has been set up under the Department's change programme with the following objectives:
	To improve significantly the Department's performance in handling telephone, written and e-mail enquiries from members of the public and their representatives; and,
	To maximise the potential of the Department's website and other forms of communication media as a source of information to the public.
	This project will give further impetus to improving performance in the timeliness and quality of responses to correspondence.

PSA Testing

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what processes are in place to inform men that they can ask their general practitioner about the PSA test and the issues that surround it.

Hazel Blears: Evidence-based primary care resource packs were sent to all general practitioners (GPs) in England in September 2002, meeting a National Health Service Cancer Plan commitment to ensure that all men considering a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test are given information concerning the benefits, limitations and risks associated with receiving a test.
	The packs are primarily aimed at GPs and practice nurses to use in counselling men with no symptoms who are worried about prostate cancer. A leaflet is available for men to take home to read in their own time, to enable them to make an informed choice on whether or not to have a PSA test. If they do decide to go ahead with the test, they can have it free on the NHS.

Nuclear Installations

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received concerning the health implications of working and living in the vicinity of a nuclear power station.

Hazel Blears: Since the mid 1980s the Department has received many representations about the possible health effects of nuclear installations in the United Kingdom.
	The committee on medical aspects of radiation in the environment (COMARE) was established in November 1985 in response to the final recommendation of the report of the independent advisory group chaired by Sir Douglas Black. Its remit is to look at the possible health effects of all source of radiation whether natural or man made, including radioactive materials discharged from nuclear installations. The committee's terms of reference are ''to assess and advise Government and the Devolved Administrations on the health effects of natural and man-made radiation in the environment and to assess the adequacy of the available data and the need for further research''. COMARE has now published seven reports and has also published several statements into allegations of health effects around nuclear installations. The committee has also made many recommendations for further investigations and examines these studies as they become available. Details of the committee's reports can be found on its web site at www.open.gov.uk/doh/comare.htm.

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that every cancer patient within the NHS receives treatment from surgeons and physicians who are specialists in their field; and by when he expects this target to be met.

Hazel Blears: All doctors must work within the limits of their professional competence, as required by General Medical Council (GMC) guidance, Good Medical Practice. Doctors should not therefore be given or take on responsibility for patients if they are not competent to do so. This is to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care and have the best chances of making a full recovery.
	The National Health Service in England employs doctors in training grades who are not yet qualified to work independently and staff grade doctors, some of whom are trained specialists. NHS Consultants supervise the work of all of these doctors and are responsible for the care patients receive. Consultants are all trained specialists included on the Specialist Register held by the GMC.
	The Department and more recently the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), has produced Improving Outcomes Guidance (IOG) on how services should be organised for specific types of cancer. The guidance includes recommendations on areas including the establishment of specialist multidisciplinary teams. Targets for the implementation of IOG form part of the priorities and planning framework.
	The NHS Cancer Plan set out a target of providing nearly 1,000 extra cancer specialists by 2006. The NHS is on track to meet this target with an extra 500 cancer consultants between 1999 and 2002.

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received concerning delays in obtaining NICE guidance on cancer treatments.

Hazel Blears: The Department has received numerous letters and other representations regarding delays in obtaining guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) on cancer treatments.
	The appraisal process, from referral to completion, has been designed to allow the full participation of patients, clinicians, companies and stakeholders. NICE is fully aware of the need to ensure that the process is as streamlined as possible, without losing any of the important safeguards it contains, in order to publish guidance soon after the treatments are launched.
	It is not acceptable for funding authorities to refuse to fund a newly licensed treatment just because it is awaiting appraisal by NICE. Decisions on funding should be based on local consideration of the available evidence when NICE appraisals are awaited.

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of non-listed cancer patients require (a) diagnostic X-ray examinations, (b) ultrasound investigations for gynaecological and obstetric problems, (c) mammograms for breast cancer and (d) CT scans; and what plans he has to introduce these patients to the national cancer waiting lists published by his Department.

Hazel Blears: Data are not collected centrally on diagnostic tests for cancer patients. The National Health Service Cancer Plan set out waiting time targets for cancer. These targets aim to reduce the amount of time patients have to wait from urgent referral to beginning treatment, which will include the diagnostic phase, and from diagnosis of cancer to first treatment. We have no plans to include waiting times for individual diagnostic tests in cancer waiting times monitoring.

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure uniform reporting standards in cancer care; and if he will make a statement on cancer care data reporting standards.

Hazel Blears: Centrally collected information on cancer services is limited to the collection of data to monitor the waiting times targets in the NHS Cancer Plan and the collection of data on coverage for the National Health Service screening services.
	All of the definitions relating to these processes are nationally standardised and are made available in advance to enable local organisations to ensure that all data are formatted to the required standard.
	The Manual of Cancer Service Standards, published 2 January 2001, provides a framework to enable local cancer networks to assess the quality of services they provide.

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms he has in place to ensure the efficacy of cancer care data gathering measures.

Hazel Blears: Data on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer are gathered locally, in accordance with data definitions which have been widely consulted on and agreed. The data definitions are published on the NHS Information Authority website, in dataset change notices (DSCNs). The National Health Service is responsible for ensuring the efficacy of the data.

NHS Trust Land

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each NHS trust, the value of land and buildings disposed of in the last three years; what targets he has set for the next three years; and what proposals he has to amend the guidance on disposals so that more affordable housing can be provided for low paid employees in the NHS.

Hazel Blears: A list of National Health Service trust disposals by value during the last three years has been placed in the Library.
	The Department does not set targets for NHS trust disposals of land and buildings. Guidance on the disposals of surplus NHS property is contained in Estatecode which is continually kept under review.
	All NHS trusts have to prepare an estates strategy. As part of that strategy the need for residential accommodation for NHS staff has to be assessed before any assets are declared surplus. However, in some instances it may be more appropriate for the land or asset to be developed in a wider context of sustainable communities of which a component could be housing for NHS staff.
	The Department is keen to ensure that an adequate provision of affordable housing for NHS employees is available. Since publication of the NHS Plan agreements have been reached and/or accommodation made available for over 2,000 additional residential units in London. Fifty per cent, of the #250 million starter homes initiative has been allocated to nurses and health care workers.

Health Professions Council

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to allow more representatives from the professional advisory committees onto the Health Professionals Council; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The membership of the Health Professions Council is set out by statute in the Health Professions Order 2002 and the Government has no plans to change that. The Health Professions Council has power to establish professional advisory committees to obtain advice on professional matters for the council and its statutory committees. The size, format and composition of any such committees are a matter for the Health Professions Council to determine.

Out-Patient Consultations

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many out-patient consultations with private patients were held in NHS hospitals in each NHS region in each of the last six years.

John Hutton: The information requested will be placed in the Library.

Seroxat

Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what investigation he has made into the (a) side effects associated with and (b) general safety of Seroxat;
	(2)  what representations he has received regarding the safety of the anti-depressant drug Seroxat; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has received a range of representations including parliamentary questions, letters from hon. and right hon. Members, patients and health care professionals about the safety of Seroxat.
	Seroxat (paroxetine) is a member of a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Before a product is granted a licence for use in the UK it must meet appropriate standards of safety, quality and efficacy. After licensing the safety of all medicines including SSRIs is continually monitored by the MCA and the independent expert advisory body, the committee on safety of medicines (CSM) and any new evidence which emerges is carefully reviewed.
	The MCA/CSM carried out a major review of all side effects associated with SSRIs, which was completed in 2000 and resulted in product information for all SSRIs including Seroxat being updated and harmonised to reflect the common safety profiles of these medicines. An article in ''Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance'' in 2000 informed prescribers about this review and reminded them about the risk of withdrawal reactions.
	Withdrawal reactions are an important and well-recognised side effect of Seroxat and also occur with the other SSRIs. The MCA/CSM warned prescribers about the possibility of withdrawal reactions associated with Seroxat via an article in the bulletin ''Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance'' in 1993. The CSM re-reviewed the issue of withdrawal reactions and possible dependence with Seroxat and the other SSRIs in 1998–99. From detailed review of all available data, the CSM concluded that all SSRIs may be associated with withdrawal reactions on stopping but on current evidence they are not associated with dependence. As a result of this review product information for all SSRIs was updated in relation to withdrawal reactions. This issue was also reviewed at a European level by the committee on proprietary medicinal products which reached similar conclusions.
	The product information for Seroxat which includes the summary of product characteristics for prescribers and the patient information leaflet, contains full details of side effects and warnings about withdrawal reactions. Doctors are advised to consider gradual tapering of dose when Seroxat is discontinued rather than abruptly stopping to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions have been performed on girls (a) under the age of 16 and (b) under the age of 18 since commencement of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy; and what these figures are, expressed as a percentage of (i) those girls to whom contraception, including emergency contraception, has been provided through the strategy and (ii) the total number of girls in each age range.

Hazel Blears: The Government's teenage pregnancy strategy was launched in June 1999.
	The following table provides abortion numbers and rates for resident women of England and Wales, aged under 16 and 16–19, for the years 1999, 2000 and 2001. Rates for under 16s are based on the population of women aged 13–15. The information requested is not available for under 18s.
	
		
			  Under 16s Under 16s 16–19 16–19 
			  Number Rate Number Rate 
		
		
			 1999 3600 3.8 32800 26.0 
			 2000 3700 3.8 33200 26.7 
			 2001 3600 3.7 33400 26.1 
		
	
	Source:
	Health Statistics Quarterly, No. 15
	Information on abortion data as a percentage of those girls to whom contraception, including emergency contraception, has been provided through the strategy, is not available as requested.

Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sexually transmitted infections have been recorded in girls (a) under the age of 16 and (b) under the age of 18 since commencement of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy; and what these figures are, expressed as a percentage of (i) those girls to whom contraception including emergency contraception, has been provided through the strategy and (ii) the total number of girls in each age range.

Hazel Blears: The Government's teenage pregnancy strategy was launched in June 1999. The table shows numbers of females diagnosed with the following sexually transmitted infections: infectious syphilis, uncomplicated gonorrhoea, uncomplicated chlamydial infection, first attack genital herpes simplex virus and first attack genital warts, for the years 1999, 2000 and 2001. Rates per 100,000 13–15 year olds and 16–19 year olds in the population are in brackets. Data for the under 18 age band is not collected.
	
		
			 Condition (All) 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Region England 
			 Sex Female 
			 Age group Under 16 1404 (156) 1510 (164) 1765 (192) 
			  16–19 21612 (1822) 23712 (2023) 25345 (2163) 
		
	
	Source:
	A joint publication between PHLS (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), DHSS and PS (Northern Ireland) and the Scottish ISD (D) 5 Collaborative Group (ISD, SCIEH and MSSVD). 2002.
	Information on sexually transmitted infections data as a percentage of those young women to whom contraception, including emergency contraception has been provided through the strategy, is not available as requested.

Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which (a) pharmacies and (b) supermarkets in England and Wales are authorised to provide emergency contraception, including the so-called morning after pill, to teenagers under the age of 16 years; since when each business has been authorised to do so; and on what terms the provision of emergency contraception is authorised.

Hazel Blears: Information on independent, chain or supermarket pharmacies providing emergency contraception is not collected centrally. The involvement of pharmacies in the National Health Service provision of emergency contraception is a local decision taken by the primary care trusts in liaison with local pharmacies.
	Pharmacists providing emergency contraception under NHS arrangements do so under patient group directions (PGD). A PGD is a written instruction for the supply or administration of medicines to groups of patients without an individualised doctor's prescription. The supply of medicines under PGDs remains under medical supervision.
	PGDs are drawn up locally under regulations and guidance issued in August 2000. They apply to pharmacists, nurses and other designated health professionals and are authorised by the clinical governance lead in the primary care trust or community NHS trust.
	Pharmacists providing emergency contraception to under 16s do so under the established legal framework for all health professionals. This involves assessing the young person's competence to understand the choices they are making and encouraging them to talk to their parents. Pharmacists are trained to ensure that young women are informed about and encouraged to visit local services that provide regular forms of contraception and condoms to protect against sexually transmitted infections.
	All health professionals, including pharmacists, are bound by their professional code of confidentiality. A young person's request for confidentiality is respected unless there are serious child protection issues.

Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many conceptions have been recorded in girls (a) under the age of 16 and (b) under the age of 18 since the commencement of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy; and what these figures are expressed as (i) a percentage of those girls to whom contraception, including emergency contraception, has been provided through the strategy and (ii) a percentage of the total number of girls in each age range.

Hazel Blears: The Government's teenage pregnancy strategy was launched in June 1999.
	The table shows conception numbers and rates by age of woman at conception for residents of England for 1999 and 2000. Rates for under 16s and under 18s are based on the population of women aged 13–15 and 15–17 respectively. The data for 2000 remains provisional.
	
		
			  1999 1999 2000 2000 
			  Number Rate Number Rate 
		
		
			 Under 16 7408 8.2 7617 8.3 
			 Under 18 39,247 44.7 38,690 43.6 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	Information on conception data as a percentage of those girls to whom contraception, including emergency contraception, has been provided through the strategy, is not available as requested.

Teenage Pregnancy Strategy

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which schools in England and Wales are authorised to provide (a) contraception and (b) emergency contraception to their pupils; since when each school has been authorised to do so; and in which schools and on what terms (i) contraception and (ii) emergency contraception is available to girls and boys under the age of 16 in these schools.

Hazel Blears: Information on the number of schools providing contraception as part of a school based health service is not collected centrally.
	The provision of school based health services is a decision for the governing body of the individual school, where the governing body and school community identify a need. Services should be developed in consultation with parents and information clearly provided as part of the school's sex and relationship education policy.
	Within a school based service, contraception, including emergency contraception, is only provided to young people under 16 by health professionals under medical supervision. This includes the supply by school nurses, working to patient group directions. A patient group direction is a written instruction for the supply or administration of medicines to groups of patients without an individualised doctor's prescription. There are no circumstances where teachers provide contraception.
	Health professionals can provide contraception to young people under 16 provided they are satisfied that the young person is competent to understand fully the implications of any treatment and to make a choice of the treatment involved. Health professionals work within an established legal framework which involves assessing the young person's competence to understand the choices they are making and encouraging them to talk to their parents. All professionals are bound by their professional code of confidentiality. A young person's request for confidentiality is respected unless there are serious child protection issues.
	School based health services provide advice on a wide range of health and emotional issues. The benefits of providing pupils with easy access to one to one advice from a health professional are recognised in a recent OFSTED report ''Sex and Relationships'' (2002), which cites a school based clinic as an example of best practice.

Hospital Chaplain

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 795W, what access to information on a patient's religious affiliation a hospital chaplain will have in the event of needing to administer the last rites to an unconscious persion in extremis.

Hazel Blears: Where a patient is incapable of providing consent, perhaps through serious or terminal illness, it is possible for hospital staff to disclose their religious affiliation to a hospital chaplain, as this may in the circumstances be in the best interests of the patient concerned.

Ghana

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings Ministers have had with representatives of the Ghanaian Government in 2002.

Hazel Blears: There have been no meetings between Ministers and representatives of the Ghanaian Government in 2002.

NHS Direct

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if nurses operating on NHS Direct are able to give only pre-set answers to queries.

Hazel Blears: NHS Direct nurse advisors use their experience and expertise alongside a computerised decision support system (algorithms), as part of the National Health Service clinical assessment system (CAS) to enable them to identify the nature of the call and assess the needs of the caller.
	NHS Direct defines what it requires of its nurses through a set of competency statements. Nurses can be recruited from any specialty provided they meet these competencies, although they must have between three to five years post-qualification experience.
	There is a need to maintain a balance between using CAS to support the clinical decision whilst allowing scope for professional judgement by the nurse.

Jams Regulations

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the organisations being consulted by the Food Standards Agency about the revision of the Jams Regulations.

Hazel Blears: On 1 August this year, the Food Standards Agency wrote to approximately one hundred interested parties to seek preliminary views on the drafting of new Jams and Similar Products Regulations. This letter was also placed on the Agency's website. A copy of the letter, together with a list of recipients, has been placed in the Library.
	The draft Regulations will be the subject of a further full public consultation in the new year.

Jams Regulations

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Government did not secure reserved descriptions in the EC Jams Directive (2001/113/EC) for (a) curd, (b) flavour curd, (c) lemon cheese and (d) mincemeat.

Hazel Blears: The purpose of the EC Jams Directive is to harmonise Community provisions relating to Jams and similar products.
	Since fruit curd and mincemeat products are not produced in any significant quantities in other Member States, it is more appropriate for the composition of these products to be controlled in national, rather than European Union, legislation.

Poultry Meat

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the incidence and the levels of nitrofurans detected in poultry meat imported from Brazil.

Hazel Blears: Between 1 January 2002 and 14 October 2002, the United Kingdom is aware that 19 rapid alerts, sent via the EU's rapid alert system for food and feed, have been issued regarding the detection of nitrofurans in 28 samples of Brazilian poultry meat. The average level of nitrofuran metabolites in the samples was 26mg/kg. Five samples exceeded 50mg/kg with the highest level being 120mg/kg for the nitrofuran metabolite AMOZ. Residues of nitrofurans should not be present at any level in food. No conclusion can be drawn regarding the frequency of contamination, as there is no data on how many samples of Brazilian poultry meat have been the subject of testing.

PET Scanners

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many PET scanners there are in England and at which hospitals;
	(2)  What the cost is of a PET scanner to the National Health Service.

Hazel Blears: There are five positron emission tomography (PET) scanners in National Health Service hospitals in England used for routine clinical assessments. They are situated at Guys, St. Thomas', Middlesex, Mount Vernon and Hammersmith Hospitals. An additional private scanner is situated in Harley Street. Four other PET scanners are used primarily for research and are located in dedicated research facilities in London, Cambridge and Manchester.
	The initial capital outlay for a fully equipped PET Scanner and associated facilities is approximately #4.2 million, with annual running costs of approximately #1.02 million.

Hospital Visits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals (a) he and (b) his Ministers visited since June 2001.

Hazel Blears: Since 1 June 2001, Ministers in this Department have visited 117 hospitals. Fifteen of these visits were made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of taking HRT long term on (a) the incidence of (i) breast cancer and (ii) osteoporosis and (b) the quality of life of women.

Hazel Blears: The Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) and its Expert Working Group on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) have reviewed the long-term safety of HRT as new information has become available. In 2001, the United Kingdom was actively involved in a European-wide review of all available evidence relating to HRT use in order to provide consistent core product information throughout Europe. Following the publication of further studies relating to the long-term effects of HRT earlier this year, the CSM re-convened its Expert Working Group (EWG) on HRT to examine in detail all the latest evidence. In light of the findings of its EWG, CSM has made further recommendations for product information to ensure that the advice for women and doctors accurately reflects current knowledge.
	A very small increase in the risk of developing breast cancer in women on long-term HRT was first recognised in 1997. Women and health professionals were warned of this risk through an article in the drug safety bulletin ''Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance'' and product information was updated. Among women aged 50 who do not use HRT, approximately 45 in every 1000 will develop breast cancer by the age of 70. Recently published studies have confirmed that this number will increase to about 47 per 1000 women who take HRT for 5 years, about 51 per 1000 women who take HRT for 10 years, and about 57 per 1000 women who take HRT for 15 years.
	In the UK, HRT products are indicated for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, and some products are also licensed for the prevention of osteoporosis. Data relating to the effectiveness of HRT in preventing bone fractures were reviewed by CSM at the time of licensing and were judged to support ''the prevention of osteoporosis'' as an indication for HRT. Further evidence was provided in studies published earlier this year for a significant reduction in the number of hip fractures with long-term HRT use.
	A recent trial in women with pre-existing heart disease examined cardiovascular effects of long-term HRT and also considered ''quality of life'' indicators. Although the findings of this trial were mixed, the women suffering from post-menopausal symptoms experienced an overall improvement in ''quality of life''. Based on all currently available evidence, the benefits of short-term use of HRT for the relief of menopausal symptoms are judged to outweigh the risks. The decision to use HRT should be discussed by a woman with her doctor on an individual basis and the risks and benefits regularly reappraised with continued HRT use.

Prescription Dispensary Systems

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on developing a national specification for automated prescription dispensary systems.

Hazel Blears: Automated dispensing systems are seen as part of the Integrated Care Record Service (ICRS). The ICRS implementation will run up to 2008 by which time a unified patient record system will exist for all National Health Service patients. This will include the functionality of electronic prescribing, pharmacy systems and, where appropriate, robotic dispensing systems. Funding for this programme over the next three years will be announced in the autumn.
	In this context the Department is considering the recommendation from the Audit Commission that a national specification for automated dispensary systems should be commissioned and that earmarked funds should also be considered for the introduction of these systems.

Reporting Rates

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the reporting rates are to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre by (a) public health laboratories and (b) NHS microbiology laboratories.

Hazel Blears: Information on reporting rates from Public Health Laboratory Service and National Health Service laboratories is not available. However, information available from the communicable disease surveillance centre shows that a total of 157,499 reports were received from NHS laboratories in 2001 and 180,503 reports from PHLS laboratories. It is estimated that the PHLS carries out over 40 per cent. of the NHS microbiology testing requirements.

Public Health Laboratory Service

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the preparedness of systems to replace the Public Health Laboratory Service.

Hazel Blears: In the Chief Medical Officer's strategy for combating infectious diseases, Getting ahead of the Curve, he proposed subsuming the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS), the centre for applied microbiology and research, the national radiological protection board and the national focus for chemical incidents into a single new body, the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
	The specialist and reference functions of the PHLS, mostly the Central Public Health Laboratory, and the communicable disease surveillance centre are to enter the HPA in their entirety, retaining their existing systems.

Public Health Laboratory Service

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the impact on the existing effectiveness of the National Network of Microbiology Laboratories of the proposed changes to the Public Health Laboratory Service.

Hazel Blears: We are aware of the informal microbiology networking arrangements currently managed by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS). We intend to strengthen and enhance the current PHLS arrangements in the process of transferring the routine microbiology laboratories to National Health Service trusts and to build on their example of good practice.
	The Chief Executive of the NHS has written to the chief executives of the receiving NHS trusts emphasising the need for the transfer process to be as smooth and efficient as possible. Maintenance and enhancement of the he existing functional arrangements between laboratories currently in the PHLS is clearly an important part of the efficiency of the transfer process.

Public Health Laboratory Service

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when new replacement managed pathology networks are proposed to be established and effective to replace the Public Health Laboratory Service.

Hazel Blears: As outlined in the recently published document, Future arrangements for microbiology laboratory services, all Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) laboratories, except for those designated as Health Protection Agency (HPA) laboratories, will transfer into the management of National Health Service trusts on 1 April 2003.
	The Department of Health document, Pathology—The Essential Service, Draft guidance on modernising pathology services, supported the development of managed pathology networks as an effective means of delivering improved pathology services.
	The consultation period for this document ended on 30 September 2002. The results of the consultation are currently being considered. It is anticipated that new guidance will be released to the NHS in the new year.

Phsyical Activity Pilot Projects

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish further details of the physical activity pilot projects announced in May; and when the #2.5m funding for the projects is to be made available.

Hazel Blears: Primary care trusts based in neighbourhood renewal fund areas were invited to submit expressions of interest by their regional directors of Public Health last month. These are currently being sifted by regional panels. The short-listed applicants will be asked to submit full applications by 20 December 2002. Awards will be announced in Spring 2003.

Alcohol Abuse

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the waiting time for treatment for alcohol abuse; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Data on waiting times for alcohol treatment are not collected centrally as a matter of routine.
	The Cabinet Office Strategy Unit and the Department of Health are currently conducting a joint consultation exercise on the national alcohol harm reduction strategy. The consultation exercise will run until 15 January 2003 and the strategy itself is due to be published in Summer 2003. The consultation exercise will seek the views of a wide range of stakeholders on a broad spectrum of alcohol misuse issues, including alcohol treatment. Copies are available in the Library or at: www.strategy.gov.uk/2002/alcohol/consultationdoc.shtml or, www.doh.gov.uk/alcohol/alcoholstrategy.htm

Alcohol Abuse

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths from alcohol abuse of (a) women and (b) men there were in each year from 1997 to 2001.

Hazel Blears: Information collected centrally about the cause of deaths does not systematically record whether a death is attributable to alcohol misuse. A number of health and lifestyle factors can contribute to diseases such as cancer, stroke and coronary heart disease, and it can be difficult to isolate alcohol consumption as the most important of these factors.
	A research review commissioned by the Department in 1997 concluded that between 5,000 and 40,000 deaths are attributable to alcohol misuse each year in England and Wales.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the results of the separation of support for drug and alcohol reduction strategies; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: In 1998 the United Kingdom Anti-Drug Co-ordination Unit (UKADCU) developed the national drug strategy. The focus of this strategy was illegal drugs, crime reduction and enforcement. Key planks of the strategy centred upon availability and supply issues that would clearly not have been applicable to legal substances. As alcohol is not illegal it was decided it would be inappropriate to include it in this strategy.
	The Government are committed to implementing the national alcohol harm reduction strategy by 2004, and work on developing the strategy is currently being taken forward by the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit, the Department of Health and other Government Departments. The strategy is due to be published in Summer 2003, and it will contain recommendations on the most effective ways of implementation across Government, including any links to be made with the implementation of the drugs strategy.

Hospices

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase funds to hospices (a) in the UK and (b) in Lancashire.

Hazel Blears: The NHS Cancer Plan, published in September 2000, pledged that the National Health Service contribution to the costs of specialist palliative care (including hospices) would increase by #50 million by 2004.
	Progress to date has been slow. We have therefore asked Professor Mike Richards, the National Cancer Director, to work with the NHS and the voluntary sector to develop proposals for a new approach to specialist palliative care funding that will ensure delivery of the #50 million increase and develop a mechanism to secure long term investment. Professor Richards has been asked to report to Ministers later this Autumn.
	To support this initiative, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced on 2 October that we are making available an extra #10 million for specialist palliative care services in 2002–03. It will be for local health communities, with their voluntary sector partners, to decide how this funding should be deployed in support of the Cancer Plan objectives.
	Funding for specialist palliative care services in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of the devolved administrations, and whilst the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

Emergency Care

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to implement the recommendations of the Reforming Emergency Care document in respect of addressing the recruitment and retention difficulties in accident and emergency departments.

Hazel Blears: Reforming Emergency Care recommended breaking down over rigid demarcation barriers to enable more flexible ways of working throughout National Health Service emergency care provision. This included separating patients into ''streams'' according to need and enabling nurse practitioners to take a much greater role in dealing with patients. Central investment of #40 million has already enabled the recruitment of 600 additional accident and emergency (A&E) nurses to support the separation of services for patients with minor injuries or illness from those with more serious conditions.
	The access care group workforce team has been set up to take forward the recommendations of Reforming Emergency Care on workforce planning and development to help ensure for the longer term we have the right number of staff, with the right skills, in the right place.

Infection Risk Assessment

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to adopt similar proposals to those introduced in Scotland on the development of training packages for NHS staff groups on healthcare-associated infection risk assessment and management; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The National Health Service University (NHSU), the organisation set-up by the Department to establish a university for the National Health Service, is leading a pilot project to deliver training programmes in cleaning, at NVQ Level One, and infection control, leading to a college certificate. It is expected that at least 4,000 NHS staff will have benefited from this initiative by the end of the pilot project in May 2003. The project will be evaluated and if successful, these or similar programmes will form part of NHSU's ongoing portfolio of courses.
	Our strategy to combat infectious disease, Getting Ahead of the Curve, aims to reassert control over serious infectious disease problems and identified healthcare associated infection (HCAI) as a priority area. A new targeted action plan to address HCAI is being developed and this will consider training. The plan should be ready around the end of the year.

Nursing Courses

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department collates on how many applications for pre-registration nursing courses are rejected on the ground that the supply of places cannot keep up with demand; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Department does not collect or collate information on the number of applications to nursing programmes that are rejected. Applications for entry to nurse education are processed by the nursing and midwifery admissions service who operate a clearing system for those individuals who are not immediately placed with a university. The number of undergraduate pre-registration training places available each year are determined through work force planning processes led locally by work force development confederations.

Beef Assurance Scheme

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will list abattoirs in the South West and South East of England which will slaughter animals over the age of 30 months but less than 42 months under the Government's Beef Assurance Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the Government's support of organic farming;
	(2)  what legislation prevents abattoirs from slaughtering cattle over the age of 30 months under the Beef Assurance Scheme.

Hazel Blears: holding answers 5 November 2002
	I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that licensed abattoirs are free to slaughter animals reared under the beef assurance scheme, but only a number choose to do so. There is no legislation to prevent abattoirs from slaughtering such cattle, but there are controls in place relating to the removal of vertebral column from animals over 30 months of age.
	Organic farming is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Community Health Councils

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects community health councils to be abolished.

Hazel Blears: Community Health Councils (CHCs) will be abolished once the new arrangements for patient and public involvement are functioning. There is no abolition date for CHCs as yet, but we will make an announcement as soon as a date is set.

Heart Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 October to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham, column 400W, whether NHS patients will have a choice of all the listed hospitals for their heart operations.

Hazel Blears: Each referring hospital has identified a number of core options which are most likely to meet the individual needs of local patients.
	If a patient would prefer to go to a local hospital that is not included in these options for the treatment their patient care advisor will have up to date information on all the hospitals in this country or elsewhere in Europe that are suitable for the patient and should seek to arrange their treatment according to their wishes.
	The choices will depend on the nature of the patient's illness. For some patients who are very ill or who have other illnesses as well, it may be that some of the options on offer do not have the facilities or expertise needed to treat them.

Abortion

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) NHS and (b) private clinics are licensed to perform abortions up to birth; and if he will list them.

Hazel Blears: Abortions undertaken after 24 weeks gestation can only be performed in a National Health Service hospital.
	Under Section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, NHS hospitals do not need the Secretary of State for Health's approval to perform abortion, at any gestation. However, a pregnancy may only be terminated if two registered medical practitioners are of the opinion, formed in good faith that an abortion is justified within the terms of the Act, in the light of their clinical judgement of all the particular circumstances of the individual case.
	Beyond 24 weeks gestation, an abortion can only be performed when:
	the termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; or
	the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated; or
	there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped; or
	to save the life or to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

General Practitioners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs were practising in England and Wales in each of the last five years, broken down by region.

John Hutton: holding answer 21 October 2002
	The information requested for England is shown in the table. The information relating to Wales is a matter for the devolved Administration.
	The numbers of general practitioners (GPs) and trainee GPs continue to grow, with GP registrar numbers at their highest ever level. In March 2002 there were 1,910 GP registrars. These are the GPs of the future.
	
		All General Medical Practitioners (Excluding GP Retainers)(4) Of Which NHS Plan GPs(5) And Unrestricted Principle & Equivalents (UPEs)(6) In England As At 1 October 1997 to 1999 30 September 2000 to 2001 And 31 March 2002 By Strategic Health Authority(7)
		
			1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2000 2001 2001 March 2002 
			 DHSC Strategic Health Authority All Practitioners Excl GP Retainers Of Which NHS Plan UPEs All Practitioners Excl GP Retainers Of Which NHS Plan UPEs All Practitioners Excl GP Retainers Of Which NHS Plan UPEs All Practitioners Excl GP Retainers Of Which NHS Plan UPEs All Practitioners Excl GP Retainers Of Which NHS Plan UPEs All Practitioners Excl GP Retainers Of Which NHS Plan UPEs 
		
		
			 North Cheshire & Merseyside 1,421 1,338 1,316 1,413 1,337 1,316 1,458 1,381 1,318 1,458 1,366 1,334 1,481 1,375 1,328 1,485 1,385 1330 
			  County Durham & Tees Valley 648 621 614 650 620 614 656 626 621 661 634 617 696 662 627 685 658 640 
			  Cumbria & Lancashire 1,134 1,066 1,070 1,147 1,109 1,081 1,158 1,106 1,083 1,152 1,105 1,079 1,174 1,118 1,087 1,194 1,120 1091 
			  Greater Manchester 1,485 1,424 1,393 1,484 1,433 1,397 1,510 1,452 1,407 1,523 1,480 1,408 1,518 1,441 1,391 1,520 1,443 1,400 
			  North & East Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire 999 944 921 991 944 925 1,011 950 926 1,021 948 932 1,039 970 941 1,082 902 953 
			  Northumberland Tyne & Wear 836 811 789 856 806 785 864 820 794 875 819 802 907 852 830 928 861 832 
			  South Yorkshire 758 718 716 758 723 715 772 731 721 778 733 723 794 739 725 788 740 723 
			  West Yorkshire 1,264 1,197 1,177 1,279 1,206 1,186 1,309 1,230 1,204 1,324 1,234 1,209 1,358 1,278 1,238 1,380 1,291 1257 
			 Midlands & Eastern Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire 915 883 870 944 902 883 948 903 886 955 903 887 985 907 888 985 904 888 
			  Birmingham & the Black Country 1,327 1,293 1,261 1,343 1,301 1,265 1,357 1,313 1,263 1,380 1,317 1,273 1,391 1,315 1,267 1,411 1,322 1255 
			  Coventry, Warwickshire Herefordshire & Worcestershire 907 859 832 901 867 840 906 873 844 924 870 847 941 894 857 971 891 861 
			  Essex 849 821 810 862 830 819 860 831 826 857 829 819 851 816 810 862 824 818 
			  Lancastershire, Northamptonshire & Rutland 908 843 826 902 843 830 896 829 811 877 823 806 894 833 821 895 827 817 
			  Norfolk, Sulfolk & Cambridgeshire 1,316 1,263 1,226 1,335 1,276 1,238 1,348 1,283 1,244 1,371 1,293 1,265 1,388 1,302 1,259 1,397 1,323 1288 
			  Shropshire & Staffordshire 782 762 747 813 778 765 830 799 786 838 795 775 825 765 768 827 785 773 
			  Trent 1,430 1,370 1,353 1,459 1,392 1,376 1,471 1,413 1,393 1,507 1,438 1,409 1,543 1,445 1,412 1,513 1,441 1411 
			 London North Central London 788 744 671 802 750 687 786 747 880 819 789 694 804 751 682 809 755 864 
			  North East London 888 849 768 896 848 800 894 848 802 925 874 809 899 855 794 913 849 798 
			  North West London 1,209 1,164 970 1,188 1,128 969 1,134 1,091 972 1,125 1,081 958 1,150 1,093 976 1,121 1,070 967 
			  South East London 868 833 774 962 830 794 901 866 807 886 855 807 904 875 817 894 867 828 
			  South West London 779 734 666 767 717 681 781 725 686 793 728 685 788 727 681 812 744 683 
			 South Avon, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire 1,325 1,262 1,235 1,374 1,298 1,280 1,404 1,312 1,282 1,424 1,324 1,296 1,442 1,333 1,312 1,447 1,352 1322 
			  Hampshire & Isle of Wight 1,080 1,011 998 1,070 1,020 1,005 1,089 1,027 1,012 1,099 1,034 1,021 1,122 1,034 1,024 1,130 1,035 1024 
			  Kent & Medway 904 870 548 916 873 842 918 675 853 901 866 847 915 864 648 812 868 848 
			  Dorset & Somerset 794 748 731 820 762 747 843 774 757 845 786 767 867 792 771 869 794 770 
			  South West Peninsula 1,066 1,004 993 1,063 1,011 1,001 1,060 1,010 1,002 1,093 1,019 1,008 1,121 1,034 1,023 1,112 1,036 1028 
			  Surrey & Sussex 1,486 1,412 1,367 1,518 1,432 1,383 1,522 1,431 1,385 1,531 1,442 1,400 1,571 1,455 1,408 1,588 1,470 1414 
			  Thames Valley 1,232 1,182 1,159 1,264 1,215 1,186 1,301 1,243 1,218 1,308 1,247 1,227 1,335 1,267 1,246 1,382 1,285 1257 
			   
			 England Total  29,389 28,046 27,099 29,897 28,251 27,392 29,397 28,467 27,581 30,252 28,583 27,704 30,685 28,802 27,843 30,858 28,950 27,956 
		
	
	Notes:
	(4) All General Medical Practitioners (excluding GP Retainers) include GMS Unrestricted Principal. PMS Contracted GPs. Restricted Principles. Assistants. GP Registers. Salaried Doctors (para 52 SFA) and PMS Other
	(5) NHS Plan GPs include GMS Unrestricted Principles. PMS Contracted GPs. PMS Salaried GPs. Restricted Principle, Assistants. Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA) and PMS Others
	(6) UPEs include GMS Unrestricted Principles PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Selected GPs
	Date has been converted to match boundaries as at April 2002
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

General Practitioners

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many salaried (a) general practitioners and (b) dentists are employed in the Camden and Islington area.

John Hutton: These figures are on a headcount basis rather than whole time equivalent (wte) and take no account of part-time working. Dentists working in more than one dental service are included in each service.
	These figures exclude self employed principal dentists working in the general dental service (GDS) and their assistants.
	
		Number of salaried dentists working in the NHS at 30 September 2001 Camden and Islington Health Authority
		
			 Health Authority Salaried service of General Dental Service Personal Dental Service Community Dental Service(7) Hospital Dental Service(7) Total(7) 
		
		
			 Camden and Islington 1 1 20 110 130 
		
	
	Notes:
	(7) Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.
	The table below shows data for salaried general practitioners which as been taken from the latest mini census (31 March 2002).
	
		Salaried General Medical Practitioners in Camden & Islington Health Authority, London RO and England as at 31 March 2002 -- numbers (headcount)
		
			  England London RO Camden & Islington HA 
			  Total of which Salaried Total of which Salaried Total of which Salaried 
		
		
			 All Practitioners 32,011 4,452 4,674 764 275 54 
			 of which 
			 Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)(8) 27,956 489(9) 3,970 84(9) 224 5(9) 
			 Restricted Principals 92 0 24 0 2 0 
			 Assistants 476 476 173 173 9 9 
			 GP Registrars 1,908 1,908 264 264 27 27 
			 Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA) 100 100 35 35 6 6 
			 PMS Other 326 326 83 83 1 1 
			 GP Retainers 1,153 1,153 125 125 6 6 
		
	
	Notes:
	(8) Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs) includes GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
	(9) Salaried UPEs data are to be treated with caution Salaried PMS Principals data were not submitted by the majority of Health Authorities. This is likely to be an underestimate.
	Source:
	General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

General Practitioners

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's estimate is of the average number of patients allocated to each general practitioner in the Camden and Islington area.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Unrestricted Principals And Equivalents (UPEs)(10) And Average List Size As At 30 September 2001 -- numbers (headcount)
		
			  UPEs Average List Size 
		
		
			 England Total 27,843 1,841 
			 of which:   
			 London RO 3,962 1,985 
			 of which:   
			 Camden & Islington HA 225 2,039 
		
	
	Note:
	(10) UPEs include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
	Source:
	General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Nurses

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of nurses starting work in the NHS in the last year were trained overseas.

John Hutton: holding answer 21 October
	The Department does not collect information on the number of nurses working in the National Health Service who were trained overseas.

Foundation Trusts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has established a foundation trust consultative group.

John Hutton: holding answer 24 October 2002
	The Department has not established a foundation trust consultative group. However, the initial framework for policy on National Health Service foundation trusts was developed through consultation with the first cohort of three-star NHS trusts as part of a series of national events on earned autonomy. In addition, Departmental officials have been seeking views from a number of chief executives from several different NHS trusts, primary care trusts, strategic health authorities and from other sources. These discussions have provided an important sounding board for our proposals.

Foundation Trusts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his formulation of foundation status for hospitals has involved consideration of a voucher system for patients or GPs.

John Hutton: holding answer 4 November 2002
	We have not considered any form of voucher system for patients or general practitioners in developing our proposals for the creation of National Health Service foundation trusts. NHS foundation trusts will provide free care for NHS patients according to NHS principles, based on clinical need and not ability to pay.

Foundation Trusts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many three star trusts have indicated an interest in becoming foundation trusts.

John Hutton: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Thirty-one of the acute National Health Service trusts that were awarded three stars in the previous NHS performance ratings announced in 2001 submitted expressions of interest in becoming NHS foundation trusts. We have not however asked for expressions of interest since publication of the new NHS performance ratings in July 2002.

Foundation Trusts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce which 12 NHS trusts have been chosen to be foundation trusts.

John Hutton: holding answer 4 November 2002
	We expect to announce a list of trusts that have been successful in their applications to become first-wave National Health Service foundation trusts later next year.

Angiograms

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals (a) include and (b) exclude angiograms from (i) inpatient and (ii) outpatient waiting lists; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 24 October 2002
	This information is not centrally available at present as waiting times are collected by specialty not procedure. We are investing #65 million New Opportunities Fund money and #15 million Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund money to expand angiography facilities. When completed, this should allow an extra 14,000 angiograms to take place each year. The planning and priorities framework for 2003–06 sets the National Health Service a target to reduce waiting times for angiography and we plan to monitor progress against this target.

Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) all positions above grade 7 level in his Department for jobs located in (h) London and (i) the South East between 1st April 2001 and 31st March; and what is the total employment for each Civil Service grade.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 28 October 2002
	The information requested is contained in the table below.
	
		Table Showing Position as at 1 April 2001
		
			 Responsibility Level London Region South East Region 
			  Vacancies* Total Staff Vacancies* Total Staff 
		
		
			 Grades 6 and above 21 120 2 6 
			 Grade 7 42 436 1 41 
			 Senior Executive Officer 55 385 6 38 
			 Higher Executive Officer 33 326 5 22 
			 Executive Officer 88 630 1 39 
			 Administrative Officer 70 470 9 34 
			 Administrative Assistant 9 110 — 8 
			  
			 Total Non-Industrial Staff 318 2,477 24 188 
		
	
	Source:
	* Expressed as numbers of staff recruited—we have no information on numbers of unfilled vacancies

Waiting List Targets

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend waiting list targets to psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

John Hutton: holding answer 29 October 2002
	The NHS Plan outlined that the maximum inpatient wait will be reduced in stages from 18 months to six months by the end of 2005. The maximum wait for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant will be three months by the end of 2005.

Sheep Meat

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ban from the food chain meat from the breeds of sheep that are susceptible to scrapie.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 31 October 2002
	Scrapie is not known to be transmissible to humans. Nonetheless there is a theoretical risk that the occurrence of apparent scrapie cases may be concealing BSE in sheep. The question of appropriate precautionary and advisory action to protect and inform consumers about this risk has been extensively considered and publicised by the Food Standards Agency in recent times.
	The European Commission has meanwhile issued proposals for action amongst other things to prevent certain susceptible sheep from entering the food chain. These proposals relate only to those holdings where scrapie has been confirmed as present.

Ambulance Response Times

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of ambulance response times to category A calls by the East Midlands Ambulance Trust in (a) the county of Rutland and (b) the Melton Borough Council area were achieved within eight minutes in the last period for which figures are available; for those responses which took longer than eight minutes, how long it took for the ambulance to respond; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Information on Category A 999 response times for the County of Rutland or the Melton Borough Council area is not available. The activities for these two areas are monitored as part of the East Midlands Ambulance Service.
	The latest information about the proportion of emergency calls resulting in an ambulance arriving at the scene of the reported incident within the Government's target response times for the East Midlands Ambulance NHS Trust, and all other ambulance trusts, is contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin ''Ambulance Services, England 2001–02''.
	During that period, East Midlands Ambulance Service responded to 73.1 per cent. of Category A 999 calls within the East Midlands area within 8 minutes.
	I understand that since 1 September 2002, ambulance service cover has been increased in Melton, Oakham and Market Harborough by an additional 81 vehicle hours per day.

Vitamin B6

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the strength of Vitamin B6 when used for (a) countering heart disease and (b) female hormone control, in the light of the Food Standards Agency's report on safe maximum dosages; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 4 November 2002
	There is epidemiological evidence that homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increasing levels of some B vitamins, including B6, may reduce blood levels of homocysteine. However, there is not yet conclusive evidence that reducing blood homocysteine—through increased intake of B vitamins—has a direct impact on the incidence of CVD. There are on-going randomised controlled trials assessing the impact of lowering homocysteine levels on the incidence of heart disease.
	The evidence to date suggests that B6 may have a positive effect on pre-menstrual symptoms, but this is based on limited information from poor quality trials. Further trials are required to confirm an association.
	The expert group on vitamins and minerals (EVM) was asked to advise on the safety of intakes of vitamins and minerals in food supplements and fortified foods. The EVM was not asked to consider the beneficial effects of the vitamins and minerals under consideration, although nutritional need was taken into account to ensure that safe upper levels were not set at a level below dietary requirements.
	The EVM draft report is the work of an independent advisory group, currently out to public consultation and available on the Food Standards Agency website.

Over-30-Months Scheme

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the Over-30-Months Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 4 November 2002
	I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that it is currently undertaking a review of the over thirty months rule, under which the sale for human consumption of meat from cattle aged over thirty months at slaughter is prohibited. The Agency is being assisted in the review by a joint Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee/FSA risk assessment group and a stakeholder group, and will issue regular information about the review as it proceeds. The Agency is expecting to report its findings from the review in the first half of next year.

Health Care Assistants

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate how many health care assistants work in the NHS and list the titles they work under; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 6 November 2002
	Healthcare assistants and other health care support workers work across the range of clinical National Health Service services. The Department and the NHS have developed titles used to identify them over a period of time. Groups identified in the table comprise the total group of clinical health care support staff working in the NHS.
	
		NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): ''Healthcare Assistants'' by area of work in England as at 30 September 2001
		
			  whole-time equivalents headcount 
		
		
			 All staff 152,893 204,925 
			 Healthcare assistants(11) 25,170 29,764 
			 Nursing assistant/auxiliary 89,063 123,617 
			 STT Helper/assistant 19,300 25,298 
			 Support staff(11) 19,360 26,246 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts
	(11) Includes staff in Acute, elderly & general, paediatrics, maternity, psychiatry, learning difficulties, community services, chiropody, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, radiography, speech and language therapy, pathology and other STT.
	Source:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census

Imported Meats

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Food Standards Agency in terms of assessing the safety of imported meat.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Department of Health Ministers have regular discussions with the Food Standards Agency (FSA). I am satisfied that the FSA is making use of the best available science in assessing the safety of imported meat, and is applying proportionate controls on declared meat imports. The Meat Hygiene Service, which is an executive agency of the FSA, has been particularly effective in checking consignments of imported carcass beef for the presence of specified risk material. The FSA is also playing a full part in the Government's programme of action against illegally smuggled meat.

Professional Qualifications

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the proposal for a Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications, with reference to its impact on (a) the regulation of health professionals and (b) patient safety.

John Hutton: holding answer 6 November 2002
	The draft Directive has been the subject of consultation and continuing negotiation. A number of specific concerns have been expressed about the need to ensure patient safety and service quality, which we will take into account as discussions progress.

Birthweight

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the incidence of low birthweight by county in descending order, for the most recent year for which available figures exist.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Mr. Len Cook to Chris Ruane, dated 7 November 2001
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on incidence of low birthweight babies by county in descending order, for the most recent year for which available figures exist.
	The number and percentage of low birthweight live births that occurred in 2001 are given in the table below, for each county in England, and for the whole of Wales, in descending order.
	Number and percentage of low birthweight 1 live births by English counties 2 and Wales in descending order, 2001
	
		
			 Area of usual residence Number Percentage(14) 
		
		
			 West Midlands (Metropolitan County) 3,137 9.5 
			 West Yorkshire (Metropolitan County) 2,254 8.8 
			 Lancashire, former county of 1,349 8.6 
			 Tees Valley less Darlington 513 8.5 
			 Greater Manchester (Metropolitan County) 2,491 8.3 
			 Bedfordshire, former county of 608 8.3 
			 Staffordshire, former county of 884 8.2 
			 Greater London (Metropolitan County) 8,425 8.1 
			 South Yorkshire (Metropolitan County) 1,104 8.0 
			 Nottinghamshire, former county of 849 8.0 
			 Leicestershire, former county of 835 8.0 
			 Merseyside (Metropolitan County) 1,131 7.8 
			 The Humber 694 7.8 
			 Berkshire, former county of 755 7.5 
			 Wales 2,288 7.5 
			 Herefordshire and Worcestershire, former county of 529 7.4 
			 Tyne and Wear (Metropolitan County) 820 7.4 
			 Buckinghamshire, former county of 609 7.3 
			 Derbyshire, former county of 733 7.3 
			 Warwickshire 382 7.3 
			 Durham, former county of 422 7.2 
			 Wiltshire, former county of 493 7.2 
			 Northamptonshire 528 7.2 
			 Shropshire, former county of 322 7.2 
			 Cambridgeshire, former county of 563 7.1 
			 Hampshire, former county of 1,224 7.0 
			 Kent, former county of 1,222 6.9 
			 West Sussex 532 6.9 
			 Lincolnshire 413 6.9 
			 Cumbria 317 6.8 
			 Oxfordshire 479 6.8 
			 Gloucestershire 394 6.8 
			 Norfolk 499 6.7 
			 Dorset, former county of 414 6.7 
			 Bristol/Bath area 727 6.7 
			 East Sussex, former county of 482 6.5 
			 Somerset 307 6.5 
			 Cheshire, former county of 678 6.5 
			 Cornwall (and Isle of Scilly) 289 6.5 
			 Suffolk 449 6.5 
			 Hertfordshire 797 6.3 
			 Devon, former county of 618 6.3 
			 Isle of Wight, former county of 69 6.2 
			 Surrey 729 6.2 
			 Essex, former county of 1,101 6.2 
			 Northumberland 176 6.1 
			 North Yorkshire, former county of 425 5.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Low birthweight babies are defined as those weighing under 2,500 grams
	2. Data are presented for English counties, and former counties, based on boundaries as at 1 April 2002.
	3. Low birthweight babies as a percentage of all livebirths with a stated birthweight.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Birthweight

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the percentage incidence was of low birth weight babies, by local authority; for each of the last 20 years.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Mr. Len Cook to Chris Ruane, dated 7 November 2001
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on what the percentage incidence was of low birthweight babies, by local authority; for each of the last 20 years.
	The percentages for local authorities from 1990 to 2001 have been tabulated and I am placing copies in the House of Commons Library. Figures for comparable areas prior to 1990 are not readily available because of local government reorganisation.

Epilepsy

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many neurologists and paediatric neurologists with a specialism in epilepsy there are in the UK.

John Hutton: The Department's workforce censuses do not collect information on the number of neurologists or paediatric neurologists with a specialism in the treatment of epilepsy.
	As at 31 March 2002, the numbers of consultants working in neurology was 372 and the number of paediatric neurologists was 30. This represents increases in consultant numbers of 34 per cent. and 30 per cent. respectively since 1997.

Epilepsy

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) neurologists, (b) paediatric neurologists and (c) nurses with a specialism in epilepsy there are in the UK.

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many neurologists and paediatric neurologists with a specialism in epilepsy there are in the UK;
	(2)  what plans there are to increase the number of neurologists and paediatric neurologists with a specialism in epilepsy.

John Hutton: pursuant to his reply, 24 July 2002, column 1415W and 1408W: I regret my previous answers were incorrect.
	The second paragraph should read,
	''As at 31 March 2002, the numbers of consultants working in Neurology was 372 and the number of paediatric neurologists was 30. This represents increases in consultant numbers of 34 per cent. and 30 per cent. respectively since 1997.''

Diagnostic Testing

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received concerning the cost of repeating diagnostic tests unnecessarily.

Hazel Blears: We have not received any representations about the costs of repeating diagnostic tests for cancer patients. The cancer services collaborative is working in every cancer network to modernise cancer care by streamlining and redesigning the care pathway ensuring patients receive speedy diagnosis and treatment.

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to (a) adopt on-call arrangements, (b) extend working hours during the week and (c) operate a 24-hour service for cancer services within the NHS;
	(2)  what representations his Department has received concerning cancer departments (a) adopting on-call arrangements, (b) extending working hours during the week and (c) operating a 24-hour service.

Hazel Blears: Commissioners and providers need to consider the needs of their population when planning services. This may involve access to some services out of normal working hours, such as general practitioner and community nurse advice, palliative care support and for some patients, access to other specialist advice.
	To date, the Department has received no representations concerning cancer departments adopting on-call arrangements, extending working hours during the week and operating a 24 hour service for cancer services within the National Health Service.

Travel Assistance

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assistance is made available by each health authority to patients travelling for treatment.

Jacqui Smith: Where a patient has a medical need for transport as determined by the clinician in charge of their case, then transport should be provided free of charge, as part of National Health Service treatment. Where patients need financial assistance the hospital travel cost scheme has been established as part of the NHS low income scheme. This provides financial assistance to the patients who do not have a medical need for ambulance transport, but who nevertheless, require assistance in meeting the cost of travel to hospital for transport.

Spinal and Orthopaedic Surgeons

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of additional spinal and orthopaedic surgeons that will be needed within the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: As at March 2002, there were 1,303 consultants in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. This represents an increase of 23 per cent. since September 1997.
	The NHS Plan workforce numbers targets identify the staff needed to meet overall needs up until 2008. By this time, the latest forecasts for growth expect the National Health Service to have net increases over a 2001 baseline, of at least 15,000 doctors—consultants and GPs. This expectation is for total numbers of doctors and is not specialty-specific.
	The NHS is currently working on local delivery plans for a three-year period, which will identify the demand for additional trauma and orthopaedic consultants up until 2005–06. The NHS will continue to plan, for three-year periods, its future workforce requirements and steps will be taken to address the identified need.
	We continually review future requirements for trained specialists as part of the NHS's new multi-disciplinary workforce planning processes. These will look at the requirements for doctors alongside other staff focusing on the potential for new ways of working and developing new roles.

Breast Cancer

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the patents on breast cancer genes owned by Myriad Inc on testing for hereditary breast cancer; and what negotiations his Department is involved in with Myriad on this issue.

Hazel Blears: The Department is still in discussion with Myriad and the discussion is confidential at this stage.

Breast Cancer

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on objections made to the European patent office to the patents on breast cancer genes owned by Myriad Inc.

Hazel Blears: A number of European genetics research institutes have filed objections in the European Patents Office (EPO). We await the outcome of the hearings before the EPO with interest.

Breast Cancer

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the target population for breast cancer screening was changed; and what percentage of the target population was screened in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 in (i) England, (ii) each NHS region and (iii) each health authority.

Hazel Blears: The National Health Service breast screening programme has been inviting women aged 50–64 to be screened every three years. The NHS Plan, published in July 2000, announced the extension of the programme to women aged 65 to 70. This extension is being rolled out over the three year period from 2001–2004.
	Data for 2000–01 are in the Department's statistical bulletin which is available in the Library. Data on the number of women screened between the age of 65 and 70 are not yet available as the extension began in 2001–02. Data for 2001–02 will be available in the Department's next statistical bulletin, which is due to be published early 2003.

MRI Scanner (Pembury Hospital)

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce whether to site a replacement permanent MRI scanner at Pembury hospital.

Hazel Blears: At this time I cannot give the hon. Member any information on an announcement. I will write to him on this matter as soon as possible.

Dental Services

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further steps he plans to take to increase provision of NHS dental services in Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: In East Lancashire the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Personal Dental Service has brought five whole time National Health Service dentists into the area together with a part-time dental therapist. The personal dental service (PDS) pilot provides NHS dental care for non-registered patients and for people finding difficulty in registering with a general dental practitioner. PDS pilots in the Preston, Blackpool and Chorley areas are also exploring new ways of providing NHS dentistry in their localities. A new NHS dental access centre will also open in Lancaster next year.
	Three bids have also been made against the ''Options for Change'' funding to try and improve dental access and waiting times in Lancashire. A decision on these bids as well as other bids will be made in the near future.

Speech Therapy

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many children with severe learning difficulties received help from a speech therapist in each year from 1997 to 2001;
	(2)  how much money was allocated from health to education services to provide speech therapy to children with (a) moderate learning difficulties and (b) severe learning difficulties in each year from 1997 to 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the number of children with severe learning difficulties who receive help from speech and language therapists (SLTs) is not collected centrally.
	It is very important that children with speech and language difficulties access appropriate intervention as soon as a problem is identified. The majority of SLTs are employed by the National Health Service and deliver services relating to children's health need. They are often based in the community and may work in health, education or local authority settings.
	No money was transferred from the Department of Health to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) specifically to provide speech therapy to children with learning difficulties. For the two years between 1999 and 2001, DfES made grant support available under the standards fund to a number of local education authorities for speech and language pilots.
	This support was extended to all English local education authorities in 2001–02 to help them enhance speech and language therapy services for children in conjunction with the NHS and the voluntary sector. It is one of a number of sub heads on which LEAs can spend their special educational needs allocation.

Meningitis

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the measures to increase awareness of meningitis and their allocated funding have been for each year since 1997;
	(2)  what measures are in place to ensure the vaccination for meningitis of all students in state and public education and for a detailed breakdown of the cost of these measures;
	(3)  what representation his Department has received concerning (a) raising public awareness and (b) education in schools of meningitis.

Hazel Blears: Since 1997, information about meningitis and septicaemia has been included in both the Guide to Childhood Immunisations and the Guide to Pre-school Immunisations. These leaflets are made available to all parents of every new baby and all parents of every preschool child. They are distributed largely via primary care and the Guide to Childhood Immunisations is given to all new parents by the health visitor at the ten day visit. More than one million of these leaflets are distributed, on an annual basis, in England.
	The immunisation website www.immunisation.nhs.uk also contains information about meningitis and septicaemia.
	A targeted campaign, Look out for your mate, has been running in all higher education establishments since 1995. The resources alert new students to the signs and symptoms or meningitis and septicaemia and suggest appropriate action. The cost of this work has been approximately #15,000 per annum. During the introduction of the MenC vaccine we worked closely with the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service to ensure that all students had this important information.
	In addition the Department also works with a number of meningitis charities, for example the meningitis research foundation, that produce guidance on the diagnosis and early management of meningococcal disease. This work is published as leaflets and information packs and is also available on the charities' web-sites.

Cancer

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of cancer patients are comorbid; and (a) how many and (b) what proportion of cancer patients there were in each year since 1998.

Hazel Blears: The Department does not centrally hold information on co-morbidity of cancer patients. In some instances this information will be held locally for research and/or public health purposes though it is not generally published.

Cancer

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what instruments have been developed to classify different comorbid diseases; and whether a comorbidity index is a cancer registry requirement.

Hazel Blears: There are several methods of monitoring co-morbidity currently available: these include the Kaplan-Feinstein Index, the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) and the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation (ACE 27). However, not all methodologies are appropriate to all tumour types.
	Due to the complexities of applying a co-morbidity standard to all cancers there are no current plans to incorporate a co-morbidity index into registry datasets.

Cancer

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the data reporting standards for cancer, broken down by stage.

Hazel Blears: Collected information on cancer services is restricted to aggregate returns to measure performance against the waiting times targets in the NHS Cancer Plan and data collected to monitor National Health Service screening services. The Department does not collect data on cancer patients broken down by stage of disease.
	Some information on stage is collected by cancer registries but not for all cancer types, although coverage for this data is incomplete and as such it is not therefore published.

Fragile X Syndrome

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation has been undertaken with people with Fragile X syndrome and their families in connection with the Valuing People White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: The White Paper Valuing People sets out our proposals for improving services for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers. The strategy takes a cross-Government, cradle to grave, approach to a wide range of services—social care, health, education, employment, benefits, housing, transport, leisure—for people with every kind of learning disability, including Fragile X syndrome. We have made good progress in putting in place the framework for delivery promised in the White Paper.
	We involved a large number of individuals and organisations, including people with learning disabilities and their carers, when developing the White Paper: we have continued that approach by including all these parties in the learning disability task force and learning disability partnership boards, which are overseeing its implementation. We have not consulted specifically on each type of learning disability or condition, but the approach we have taken makes clear that Valuing People includes everyone with a learning disability.

Nursing Care Payments

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what conditions are applied to payments of (a) attendance allowance and (b) payments towards nursing care;
	(2)  what right of appeal care home residents have against funding decisions taken by (a) the NHS and (b) Social Services.

Jacqui Smith: The guidance and directions on free nursing care describe the eligibility, review and appeal arrangements, copies of which are in the Library. These are also are available at www.doh.gov.uk/jointunit/nhsfundednursingcare/index.htm. The National Health Service and social services have complaint procedures that people can follow if they are dissatisfied with aspects of their care.
	The eligibility of anyone in receipt of attendance allowance is not affected by NHS funding, though councils will need to take account of the receipt of this and other benefits if they carry out a financial assessment.

A and E Departments

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to ensure that funding, made available to ease the burdens in accident and emergency departments, is reaching the front-line to (a) allow innovative schemes to continue and (b) give all accident and emergency departments the opportunity to introduce new ways of working.

Jacqui Smith: The Reforming Emergency Care strategy was launched in October 2001, supported by #118 million investment, to improve the local organisation of emergency services to ensure that patients get a consistent and appropriate response based on national clinical standards. The strategy will be delivered through the formation of emergency care networks (ECNs), which will co-ordinate all aspects of local emergency care through the local leadership of emergency care leads (ECLs) appointed in all acute trusts and primary care trusts.
	The Government places a very high priority on improving delivery of emergency care. The NHS Plan set challenging targets for strategic health authorities and trusts to cut waiting times in accident and emergency (A&E). The new devolved funding arrangements mean that local managers are able to target funding, in line with national guidelines, on local areas of need. Local managers and clinicians are being supported to develop and maintain innovative ways of delivering care through the Modernisation Agency emergency services collaborative, launched on 8 October 2002. The first wave of the collaborative is now underway and by September 2004, every trust with an A&E in England will have completed the programme.

Sight Loss

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional investment is planned for (a) prevention, (b) detection and (c) rehabilitation of sight loss.

Jacqui Smith: The National Health Service is receiving unprecedented growth for investment across health services. We have set a new target for the NHS to improve diabetic retinopathy screening. We have also invested #20 million to modernise cataract services. Furthermore, free NHS sight tests for everyone aged 60 and over were reintroduced from April 1999, at an annual cost of #50 million.
	The Department is also contributing a grant of more than #120,000 over three years to a group of voluntary organisations to set up local low vision services committees. These bring together the NHS, social services, opticians and voluntary organisations to promote best practice and improve co-ordination in the commissioning and delivery of services for the blind and partially sighted.

Sight Loss

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each of the nations of the UK have a sight problem.

Jacqui Smith: The information shown in the table relates to the number of people registered blind and partially sighted.
	
		Number of people registered as blind and partially sighted
		
			  No. registered blind No. registered partially sighted 
		
		
			 As at 31 March 2000   
			 England 158,000 149,000 
			 Scotland 24,839 13,287 
			 As at 31 March 2001   
			 Wales 9,902 9,905 
		
	
	This information is not currently collected in Northern Ireland.

Laming Report

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Laming Report has not yet been published; and when and how it will be published.

Jacqui Smith: We expect to receive Lord Laming's report into the circumstances that led to the death of Victoria Climbié later this year or early next year. However, neither we nor Lord Laming have set a timetable. The report will be published by my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Health and the Home Department soon after its receipt and will be made widely available.

Waiting Times

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for assessment for (a) homecare aids, (b) adaptations and (c) equipment in each social services department area in the UK; and what the average waiting time for assessment in each area was in the last 12 months.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not available centrally and may be possible to obtain only by approaching individual social service departments.
	The government is investing in services for community equipment and minor adaptations over the years 2001 to 2006. The funding will help these services reduce waiting times in line with the targets set by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, in a statement to the House on 23 July 2002 that, as part of the single assessment process, assessments will be complete with one month of referral and equipment then delivered within seven working days.

Breast Feeding

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Government policy on encouraging breastfeeding.

Hazel Blears: The Government are fully committed to the promotion of breastfeeding, which is accepted as the best form of nutrition for infants. The National Health Service priorities and planning framework for 2003–2006 includes a challenging new target to deliver an increase of two percentage points per year in breastfeeding initiation rate, focusing especially on women from disadvantaged groups. The Infant Feeding Survey 2000 showed that the incidence of breastfeeding in England and Wales increased from 68 per cent. in 1995 to 71 per cent. in 2000, but varied between different social classes and the incidence of breastfeeding in social class v. increased from 50 per cent. in 1995 to 59 per cent. in 2000.
	We have recently published for consultation proposals to replace the war-time welfare food scheme with a new programme which would provide better nutrition and greater choice for over 800,000 people in low income families. The current scheme may act as a disincentive for women to breastfeed.
	The infant feeding initiative was launched in 1999 to tackle health inequalities with the aim to increase the incidence and duration of breastfeeding amongst those groups of the population where breastfeeding rates are the lowest. To date, 79 local projects have been funded to identify ''best practice'' to increase breastfeeding rates. The best start project is a randomised control trial looking at an intervention into midwives practice and the impact on breastfeeding duration. The results will be disseminated later this year.
	The national breastfeeding awareness week (NBAW) was held in May 2002 with a theme on normalising breastfeeding. NBAW will also be held in May 2003.

Shared Financial Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the timing of NHS trust moving over to using shared financial services centres.

John Hutton: The National Health Service is currently developing two shared financial service centres, in Leeds and Bristol. Approximately 40 NHS organisations will be moving over, in waves, to use these centres from April 2003 through October 2003.
	If these pilot centres successfully deliver the proof of concept of shared financial services in the NHS consideration will be given to roll-out to the wider NHS.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of health authorities have complaints procedures for mental health patients.

Jacqui Smith: The National Health Service complaints procedure exists to deal with complaints from any patient using the NHS (including users of mental health services) who wishes to make a complaint about the service or treatment they have received. The complaints procedure applies to all NHS organisations and services.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of mental health patients are delayed from hospital discharge in 2001–02 and what the reasons are for the delays; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not hold information on the proportion of mental health patients who were delayed from hospital discharge.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding was given to children's mental health services in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Levels of funding provided by health and local authorities (LAs) for child and adolescent mental health services are not collected centrally. In the four years ending 31 March 2003, we will have made available #105 million of targeted central funding across the National Health Service and LAs in support of the Government's strategy, introduced in 1999, for developing child and adolescent mental health services. Health authorities will have been given #50 million and LAs #55 million. The latter includes provision for extended funding in support of 24 innovation projects to develop new approaches to mental health services for children and young people.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress made to replace Shelton Hospital with a new mental health hospital.

Jacqui Smith: The specialist mental health services strategy for Shropshire County and Telford & Wrekin recommended the redevelopment of in-patient mental health services alongside the development of a range of community mental health services. Shropshire County Primary Care Trust is now recruiting a project manager to lead the redevelopment programme and is establishing a project board to oversee the project. It is expected that the formal business case procedures will be undertaken in 2003, with a provisional target date of Spring 2006 for the redevelopment of in-patient mental health services. This will be subject to public consultation.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what proportion of health authorities have a written care plan for mental health patients;
	(2)  what proportion of mental health patients have been given a written copy of their own care plan in the last 12 months;
	(3)  what proportion of mental health patients have been given written information on (a) their condition, (b) their treatment, (c) their medical rights and (d) where to get help in an emergency in the last 12 months.

Jacqui Smith: People with mental health problems whose care is co-ordinated under the care programme approach (CPA) should have information about their condition, treatment and how to get help in an emergency. Progress on achieving the target set within the 2001–2 service and financial framework for specialist mental health service users on enhanced CPA to have a written copy of their care plan continues to be monitored, although it is not broken down at strategic health authority level. Data from the first quarter of 2002, the first time such information was captured, suggest that around 85 per cent. of patients had a written care plan at the time of discharge. We expect both data quality and the rate to improve with time and further information on progress will be available in due course.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of community treatment orders on reducing the number of homicides by people diagnosed by mental health problems.

Jacqui Smith: The introduction of community treatment orders will allow people to be treated in the setting which is most appropriate to their own individual needs by breaking the automatic link between compulsory treatment for a mental disorder and detention in hospital which exists under the current Mental Health Act 1983. This will also help to ensure that there are hospital beds available for those who most need them, whether to protect their own health and safety or that of others. There has been no assessment of the effectiveness of community treatment orders on reducing the number of homicides because this is not the intended purpose of the orders as proposed in the draft Mental Health Bill.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of schizophrenics have asked for, but been refused, hospital admission in the last 12 months.

Jacqui Smith: There have been no reports of people with schizophrenia being refused hospital admission collected centrally.
	The mental health national service framework explicitly states that everyone with severe mental illness should have access to the range of services they need.

Testicular Cancer

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of testicular cancer; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: 91 per cent. of men with testicular cancer survive five or more years. Testicular cancer is almost always curable if found early. We have recently worked with Cancer Research UK to produce a new leaflet for men, Testicular Cancer: Spot the Symptoms Early. The leaflet aims to promote testicular awareness for men, explaining that they should know what is normal for them, know what changes to look out for and to report any changes without delay.

Nuclear Weapons Testing

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with counterparts in other countries whose nationals have participated in the monitoring of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing in respect of the impact the tests have been perceived to have had on the health of those exposed to radiation.

Hazel Blears: The international forum for debate on these issues is the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Members of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), which advises the Government on radiation Risks, participate in UNSCEAR as members and use the data generated to inform NRPB's risk calculations.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate how many (a) children and (b) vulnerable adults that will be cared for by adults who had not received a Criminal Records Bureau check following the announcement of 1st November.

Jacqui Smith: The announcement of 1 November made no changes to the requirements for people working with children to have an appropriate Criminal Records Bureau check. The measures being taken will help combat the delays in the checking process. New staff in adult care homes continue to need pre-employment CRB checks. CRB checks on existing staff have been postponed to 2004 but all other safeguards remain in place in respect of these workers, which include confirming previous employment history and taking up references.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects (a) nurses supplied by agencies and (b) staff supplied by domiciliary care agencies will be required to have Criminal Records Bureau checks.

Jacqui Smith: We intend to introduce the requirement for all nurses supplied by nurses agencies and all staff supplied by domiciliary care agencies to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check when we are confident that the CRB are able to cope with the demand.

Asylum Seekers

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of asylum seekers in each London borough who do not have access to a general practitioner; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Department has not made an estimation of the number of asylum seekers in each London Borough who do not have access to a general practitioner (GP). Asylum seekers are regarded as ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and therefore entitled to free treatment by a GP. The use of initiatives such as local development schemes and personal medical pilots have assisted asylum seekers and other vulnerable sectors of the population accessing GPs and other primary care services.

Vulnerable Adults

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is putting in place to ensure the protection of vulnerable adults following the postponement of Criminal Records Bureau checks for people who work with vulnerable adults.

Jacqui Smith: A criminal record disclosure forms one of many checks persons caring for vulnerable adults must have in order to work with this client group. Measures are already in place to ensure the protection of vulnerable adults from abuse. Persons caring for vulnerable adults continue to be subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including confirming previous employment history and taking up references, to ensure their suitability for the position in question. All those occupations, which were subject to a criminal record check prior to the advent of the Criminal Records Bureau, will continue to be subject to such a check.

Vulnerable Adults

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how long he expects the postponement of the implementation of the protection of vulnerable adults lists provided for in the Care Standards Act 2000 to last as set out in the announcement on 1 November;
	(2)  for how long the implementation of the protection of vulnerable adults lists as part of the Care Standards Act 2000 have been postponed.

Jacqui Smith: We intend to implement the protection of vulnerable adults list when we are confident that the Criminal Records Bureau are able to cope with the demand.

Care Homes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 810W, on care homes, which national providers he has written to regarding the failure to pass on free nursing care to residents.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 810W, which set out the reasons why this information could not be disclosed.

Foundation Trusts

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from hospital trusts or health bodies in the Camden and Islington area concerning the development of foundation hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Department has not received any representations from hospital trusts or health bodies in the Camden and Islington area concerning the development of National Health Service foundation trusts.

Day Surgery

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 29 October 2002, Official Report, column 742 W. what steps he will take to ensure day surgery facilities remain in Lichfield following the proposed construction of a new hospital in the City of Lichfield.

John Hutton: Following the South Staffordshire strategic review public consultation, it was decided that day surgery should be concentrated at Tamworth and Cannock, in order to provide the highest quality facilities for South Staffordshire patients in purpose-built environments, and to maximise the potential of day surgery usage in the county, by concentrating three sites onto two.
	Day surgery at Lichfield ended in December 2001 and there are no plans to re-provide day surgery in the new hospital at Lichfield. It is, however, planned that the new hospital will benefit from, for example, an improved minor injuries unit, better x-ray services, more examining rooms in the outpatients department and modern facilities for the public.

Correspondence

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letters of 9 July and 16 September from the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling regarding MRI scanning services in West Kent.

Hazel Blears: A reply was sent to the right hon. Member on 6 November.

Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (a) dated 23 November 2001, concerning lens solutions and (b) dated 22 February, and transferred from DEFRA on 11 April.

Hazel Blears: Replies to the hon. Member's letters of 23 November and 22 February were sent on 29 July and 21 August.

Correspondence

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will reply to the letter written to him on 18 January by the hon. Member for Solihull, on behalf of his constituent Mr. Colin Reynard, of which letter a reminder was sent to him on 9 April, joining the interest of another constituent of the hon. Member, Mr. Brian Clayton;
	(2)  if he will reply to the letter written to his minister of state on 30 May, by the hon. Member for Solihull on behalf of his constituent Mr. G. L. Cotton;
	(3)  if he will acknowledge the letter written to him by the hon. Member for Solihull dated 2nd October; and if he will cause substantive responses to be made to the cases of Graham Cotton and Brian Clayton both of Solihull (PO1013296 and PO1014870);

John Hutton: holding answer 4 October 2002
	The hon. Member has been invited to attend a meeting with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, to discuss the issues that his constituents have raised in his correspondence.

Correspondence

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will write to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam regarding his answer of 14 October 2002, Official Report, column 481W, concerning the number of key targets set by his Department.

David Lammy: A response to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam has now been sent.

Smallpox Vaccine

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list (a) the meetings between (i) ministers and (ii) officials in his Department with Powderject concerning the smallpox vaccine and (b) the names of those who attended those meetings; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 8 May 2002
	Ministers had no meetings with PowderJect concerning the placing of the smallpox vaccine contract. Officials from the Department and from the Ministry of Defence met with PowderJect on 22 January as part of the confidential discussions held with the five major pharmaceutical companies known to have smallpox vaccine manufacturing capability. The meeting was to inform the company of our requirements for smallpox vaccine and to find out whether the company was in a position to meet our requirements and, if so, to invite them to submit their written proposals for vaccine supply. Since the award of the contract to PowderJect on 11 April, there have been two ad hoc meetings between officials from the Department and the Ministry of Defence with PowderJect to resolve matters of detail concerning labelling and packaging of the vaccine. As all discussions with the company were confidential, the names of those present are not being revealed. This is in accordance with normal policy.

Overseas Nurses

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health at what intervals nurse recruitment agencies which have signed up to the ethical foreign nurse recruitment campaign will be reviewed.

John Hutton: holding answer 16 October 2002
	The list of agencies that have confirmed they adhere to the code of practice has been placed on the international recruitment website. The list is monitored on an ongoing basis.
	Workforce development confederations will bring to the attention of the Department any agencies that are not recruiting in accordance with the code of practice.

National Clinical Director of Primary Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GP surgeries have been visited by the GP tsar in that capacity since his appointment.

John Hutton: holding answer 21 October 2002
	Professor David Colin-Thome is a part-time practising general practitioner (GP) as well as the current National Clinical Director of Primary Care, a position which he occupies on a two day per week basis. Since his appointment in May 2001, he has visited 14 GP surgeries. He has, however, met considerably more GPs and other primary care professionals through attending conferences, seminars and other events, which average at well over one per week.

Foundation Hospitals

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the organisations which have advised him on the development of foundation hospitals; and if he will list the fees incurred by his Department in obtaining advice on the development of foundation hospitals.

John Hutton: holding answer 24 October 2002
	We have sought specialist advice from the New Economics Foundation, Pinsent Curtis Biddle and PricewaterhouseCoopers in developing proposals for the creation of National Health Service foundation trusts. To date, payments have been made to the New Economics Foundation and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Actual fees incurred are commercially confidential.

Organ Retention

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many organs are retained at Leicestershire hospitals from deceased persons.

Hazel Blears: pursuant to her reply 4 November 2002, I regret the previous reply is incorrect. The first sentence should read:-
	''There are currently 142 organs retained by the three hospitals covered by the University Hospitals of Leicester National Health Service Trust.''

Devolution

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many formal and official inter-ministerial meetings his Department has held with the Scottish Executive since May 1999, broken down by (a) Scottish Executive department, (b) subject and (c) date.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 24 July 2002
	Information is not available in the form requested. Ministers from my Department have frequent meetings with Ministers from the Scottish Executive, both formal and informal, covering a broad range of topics.

General Chiropractic Council

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff were employed in the General Chiropractic Council at 1st April; and what proportion of those staff have clinical contact with NHS patients.

Hazel Blears: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health (Yvette Cooper) on Thursday 23 May 2002, Official Report, volume 836, columns 588–89W.

Public Health Laboratories

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements will be in place to require local laboratories (a) to report to and (b) respond to requests from the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre after reorganisation of the service to create the Health Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: All National Health Service laboratories as well as laboratories in the proposed health protection agency will be able to report to communicable disease surveillance centre (CDSC). These arrangements will be a continuation of the current system.
	As at present, the CDSC will work with laboratories in the NHS and non-departmental public bodies on the appropriate reporting to meet local, regional and national requirements.

Departmental Initiatives

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the schemes and initiatives sponsored by his Department and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out, showing (a) the authorities or areas covered by the scheme and (b) the budget of the scheme in the last year for which information is available.

John Hutton: The answer can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Commission for Health Improvement

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many (a) NHS trusts and (b) health authorities have failed service reviews conducted by the Commission for Health Improvement; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many service reviews within (a) NHS trusts and (b) health authorities have been conducted by the Commission for Health Improvement; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) has power to undertake special investigations into particular areas of concern in the delivery of health care. To date, the CHI has completed seven investigations:
	Five in Acute Trusts;
	One relating to matters arising from the employment of a locum doctor in a NHS Trust;
	One relating to issues arising from the case of a Loughborough GP.
	A further three investigations are underway.
	The CHI was set up on 1 November 1999 to meet our aim of improving the quality of patient care in the National Health Service. An important aspect of this work is a rolling programme to complete a clinical governance review of 500 NHS organisations by 2004. As at 1 October 2002, CHI has completed 175 clinical governance reviews across a range of NHS bodies of which 173 are NHS trusts and two health authorities.

Asthma

Clive Soley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the incidence of asthma in West London is including percentage change over the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the latest information on causation.

John Hutton: Prevalence data—the percentage of the population affected with asthma at a given time—is not available for specific areas such as west London, but figures for the United Kingdom are held.
	An estimated 5.1 million people in the UK— 1.4 million adults and 3.7 million children, one in 13 and one in eight respectively—are currently receiving treatment for asthma. An estimated eight million people in the UK have been diagnosed with asthma at some stage in their lives.
	Information on admissions to hospital for asthma* in west London is detailed in the table.
	
		
			 Health Authority of residence 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 
		
		
			 QA2 Hillingdon HA 353 347 357 356 362 
			 QA3 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster HA 471 454 425 355 384 
			 QAG Kingston & Richmond HA 433 300 419 361 303 
			 QAJ Merton, Sutton & Wandsworth HA 1,117 1,033 976 832 756 
			 QAR Brent & Harrow HA 684 538 491 507 647 
			 QAV Ealing, Hammersmith & Hounslow HA 1,458 1,335 1,424 1,143 1,035 
			  
			 Total 4,516 4,007 4,092 3,554 3,487 
		
	
	Notes:
	* ICD-10 (diagnosis) codes used are as follows:
	J45 Asthma
	J46 Status asthmaticus
	The Health Authorities in this table are all of those which cover West, North West and South West London. Some HAs may also include eastern parts of London (such as Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth HA).
	Data in this table are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health
	Asthma has a genetic element. The predisposition to develop asthma is inherited with an increased risk if one or both parents have asthma. In addition environmental factors interact with the genetic predisposition to cause asthma to develop as a symptomatic condition.
	Many different genes have been shown to be associated with allergy and asthma susceptibility, and different environmental factors are likely to influence outcomes in different ways depending on the underlying genotype.
	Interaction between genes and environment in asthma is therefore a major focus of research in the asthma field. To this end, the national asthma campaign is making a large investment over the next two years funding a task force to address issues of causation. The task force will review the current evidence in this area and assess the feasibility of large scale, definitive studies to answer these questions.

Voluntary Organisations and Charities

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which voluntary organisations and charities departmental Ministers have met since the beginning of June.

John Hutton: The Department's Ministers have met the following voluntary organisations and charities since the beginning of June:
	Action on Smoking and Health
	British Association for Adoption and Fostering
	Barrow Cadbury Trust
	Cancer Research UK
	Cystic Fybrosis Trust
	Dementia Services Collaborative
	Diabetes UK
	Disability Rights Commission
	Doctor Patient Partnership
	Empower
	Epilepsy Action
	Epilepsy Bereaved
	Isabelle
	Joint Epilepsy Council
	Lymphoma Association
	Macmillan Cancer Relief
	National Council for Hospices and Specialist Palliative Care
	NTract—National Translational Cancer Research Network
	Parkinsons Disease Society
	Pasque Children's Hospice
	Project Cure
	St John Ambulance
	SANE
	Re Think Severe Mental Illness
	Sustain
	Terence Higgins Trust

Ambulance Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what central Government targets have been set for ambulance services; and what assessment has been made of whether they are being met.

Jacqui Smith: Ambulance National Health Service trusts are aiming to respond to 75 per cent. of category A calls within eight minutes. All other emergency calls that are not life threatening should be responded to 95 per cent. of the time within 14 minutes in urban areas and 19 minutes in rural areas.
	Information about ambulance services response times to emergency calls are collected each year by the Department and published annually. The latest information is contained in the Department of Health statistical bulletin Ambulance Services, England 2001–02. A copy is available in the Library and also on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/public/5b0115.htm.

Independent Sector Usage Survey

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to publish the results of the Independent Sector Usage Survey.

John Hutton: The Department has carried out two surveys of National Health Service use of the independent sector for acute elective care in 2000–2001. The first survey, begun last October, sought information on actual use in the first half of the year, along with planned use in the second half of that year. Information on actual use in the second half of the year was sought in a further survey begun in August this year. The results of that further survey are now being collated. We will consider the best way to make the findings publicly available once the analysis of the second survey has been completed.

Stem Cell Research

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has received for stem cell research; and how many have been awarded.

Hazel Blears: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has received nine applications for embryo research aimed at the production of embryonic stem cell lines, five of which have been granted and four are currently under consideration.

Paddington Basin Project

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had in the last six months with the management of the Paddington Health Campus.

John Hutton: The Regional Director of the Directorate of Health and Social Care—London has participated in ongoing discussions with the management of the Paddington basin project together with the North West London Strategic Health Authority.

Paddington Basin Project

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial recompense has been provided to Mr. Eric Sorenson the former project director of the Paddington Health Campus following his resignation on 4 October.

John Hutton: Eric Sorensen, the former project director of the Paddington Health Campus is still employed by St. Mary's, The Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trusts and the Imperial College. As such, the terms of his employment are a matter for these employing organisations.

Drugs (Storage and Transport)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been given to (a) pharmacists and (b) primary care trusts to ensure that biological drugs are kept within recognised safe temperatures during storage and transport to patients.

Hazel Blears: The Medicines Control Agency (MCA), an executive agency of the Department of Health, regulates medicinal products for human use in the United Kingdom on behalf of the UK Licensing Authority.
	UK legislation places an obligation on licensed manufacturers, distributors and importers of medicinal products to exercise control over the distribution chain to ensure that the medicinal products are handled, stored and distributed under the necessary conditions to avoid deterioration of the products.
	The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's code of ethics and standards and practice guidance provides guidance to UK registered pharmacists on the storage of medicines under controlled temperatures.

Drugs (Storage and Transport)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that biological drugs brought into the UK by parallel importers maintain their temperature integrity during transport.

Hazel Blears: United Kingdom legislation places an obligation on licensed distributors and importers of medicinal products to exercise control over the distribution chain, to ensure that the medicinal products are handled, stored and distributed under the necessary conditions to avoid deterioration of the products
	Inspectors from the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) inspect parallel importers in the UK at regular intervals. The inspectors review records relating to the maintenance of temperature integrity during transportation of the imported products to ensure that they have not been exposed to unacceptable conditions.

Biological Drugs

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to compel pharmaceutical companies who manufacture biological drugs to ensure their delivery to patients maintain the drugs within recognised safe temperatures at all times.

Hazel Blears: United Kingdom legislation places an obligation on licensed manufacturers and wholesale distributors of medicinal products to exercise control over the distribution chain to ensure that the medicinal products are handled, stored and distributed under the necessary conditions to avoid deterioration of the products.
	Inspectors from the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) inspect manufacturers and distributors of medicines at regular intervals to ensure that they meet the statutory requirements concerning the maintenance of safe and appropriate storage and transportation temperatures of medicines.
	Manufacturers and distributors who fail to comply with statutory requirements may be subject to formal action by the MCA in order to protect public health. This can include suspension or revocation of the manufacturing and/or wholesale distribution authorisations.

Patient Records

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) quantity and (b) proportion of patient records are computer-based; and what (i) quantity and (ii) proportion of cancer patient records are computer-based.

John Hutton: The National Health Service has made significant strides in using information technology to support patient care. Although not individually counted as individual records, the majority of general practitioners have clinical systems containing patient specific information, hospitals have patient administration systems which hold both clinical and demographic information about patients. There are also a number of national applications that support national screening programmes, organ donation and the work of the blood authority.
	It is not possible, however, to provide details of the quantity or proportion of cancer patients who have computer based records but the majority will have records in both the primary and secondary care arena which contain information about their specific diagnosis.

Patient Records

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training requirements are in place for new doctors to enable them to handle electronic patient records.

John Hutton: holding answer 21 October 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on Wednesday 23 October 2002, Official Report, column 397W.

Recruitment and Retention

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what strategies his Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

John Hutton: The Department is committed to ensure that older people are never unfairly discriminated and complies with the rules and requirements of the Minister's Rules for Selection, The Civil Service Order Council, Treasury and equal opportunity and employment protection legislation. Ageism is not tolerated within the Department.
	Our recruitment, development, performance management and retention policies are continuously reviewed. There are no age barriers to employment.
	The Department is considering how best to implement the recommendations contained in the Government's Winning the Generation Game report, which examines age-related issues such as flexible retirement beyond the normal retiring age of 60.

Recruitment and Retention

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of new recruits to his Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

John Hutton: The percentages anof new recruits aged over 50, who joined the Department during the past two years, are as follows:
	
		1 April 2000 and 31 March 2001
		
			  Total Percentage 
		
		
			 Total recruits 730 
			 Total recruits aged 50 or over 66 9 
		
	
	
		1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002
		
			  Total Percentage 
		
		
			 Total recruits 627 
			 Total recruits aged 50 or over 129 21

Winter Mortality

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has (a) carried out and (b) funded into excess winter mortality in other European Union countries.

John Hutton: As a member state of the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom contributed to the funding of the EU Eurowinter project, which studied the relation of work related and culture related patterns of cold exposure to large and paradoxical differences in excess winter mortality within Europe. The project was co-ordinated by Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, and reports were published in Lancet on 10 May 1997 and British Medical Journal on 16 September 2000.

Biomedical Research

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2002, Official Report, column 498W, on biotechnology research projects, what proportion of (a) the medical research council's—#362 million of research and development spending and (b) the Department of Health's—#510 million research spending shown in Table 3 Looking Forward (Cm 5338) goes into biomedical research.

Hazel Blears: All the research that the Medical Research Council (MRC) supports is biomedical research. An estimated 60 per cent. of the Department's research expenditure is used in the National Health Service to support research by the MRC, by medical research charities and by other research collaborators, a substantial part of which is to support the clinical stages of biomedical research. The Department and the NHS also directly fund health services' biomedical research; for example, through genetics knowledge parks and other programmes. Some 40 per cent. of the Department's policy research programme expenditure is on biomedical research.

CFS/ME

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has commissioned into the causes of myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Hazel Blears: The Department has asked the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its grant-in-aid from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade And Industry, via the Office of Science and Technology, to develop a broad strategy for advancing biomedical and health services research on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). The MRC has appointed an independent scientific advisory group, which will draw on the report of the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group, published in January 2002, on other recent expert reviews in this field and on research reported in the peer reviewed literature. The MRC is committed to the development of a research strategy for CFS/ME that will advance understanding of the aetiology, epidemiology and biology of CFS/ME and, in the light of current knowledge, suggest what areas of further research are needed with regard to possible prevention, management (including diagnosis) and treatment.

NICE Guidance

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the total cost to the NHS of guidance issued to date by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

Hazel Blears: The estimated full-year running costs of all National Institute for Clinical Excellence appraisal guidance issued up to and including appraisal guidance number 52, relative to previous levels of National Health Service spending where appropriate, amount to some #513 million for England. In some cases the financial impact on the NHS may build up gradually, for instance where infrastructure changes are needed to put the recommendations into full effect.

Agency Nurses

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the cost to the NHS of agency nurses was in each of the last six years in (a) England (b) each NHS region;
	(2)  How much was spent by the NHS on agency and bank nurses in (a) England and (b) each region, broken down by NHS trust, in each of the last six years.

John Hutton: Data outlining the expenditure on non-National Health Service nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff is shown in the table. These figures include all agency staff and any other staff not directly employed by the individual NHS trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts. A regional breakdown is not available prior to 1996–1997.
	
		
			  1995–1996 1996–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 1999–2000 2000–2001 
			 Region Expenditure # Expenditure # Expenditure # Expenditure # Expenditure # Expenditure # 
		
		
			 Northern & Yorkshire not available 6,028,667 6,714,833 7,504,774 9,670,403 11,687,978 
			 Trent not available 5,960,334 7,697,702 10,064,129 12,885,286 16,582,418 
			 West Midlands not available 16,939,663 20,265,855 26,503,757 32,564,528 37,964,326 
			 North West not available 9,570,017 13,211,621 17,857,451 23,917,194 31,022,389 
			 Eastern not available 14,055,474 15,719,904 22,670,380 30,951,975 42,387,041 
			 London not available 108,202,417 111,628,043 130,573,228 180,665,901 202,308,850 
			 South East not available 21,586,155 29,963,665 41,469,988 52,808,574 66,046,899 
			 South West not available 9,153,908 11,136,944 15,581,455 18,192,822 27,431,981 
			  
			 England Total 166,631,982 191,496,635 216,338,567 272,225,162 361,656,683 435,431,882 
		
	
	Source:
	1. Annual financial returns for NHS Trusts, 1995–96—2000–01
	2. Annual financial returns of district and regional health authorities and the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals, 1995–96
	3. Annual financial returns for health authorities, 1996–97—2000–01
	4. Annual financial returns for primary care trusts, 2000–01
	Information on expenditure on non-NHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff broken down by NHS trust has been placed in the Library. The Department is unable to disaggregate agency nursing costs only, nor provide information on bank nurses as requested.

Neonatal Services Review

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the neonatal services review; and if he will place a copy of (a) the review and (b) plans to change the configuration of services in the Library.

Jacqui Smith: I am considering the report following from a review of neonatal services and expect to determine the next steps in this process shortly.

Cancelled Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled (a) on the day of admission and (b) before the day of admission at Wythenshawe Hospital in each quarter since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Wythenshawe Hospital is part of South Manchester University Hospitals National Health Service Trust, which comprises both Wythenshawe and Withington Hospitals. Separate figures are not available for each hospital individually or earlier than 1 April 2001.
	Statistics are compiled for the total number of operations cancelled for non-clinical reasons. The figures do not differentiate between those cancelled on the day of admission and prior to admission.
	
		
			 Quarter ending Number of cancellations 
		
		
			 30 June 2001 82 
			 30 September 2001 85 
			 31 December 2001 327 
			 31 March 2002 498 
			 30 June 2002 445 
			 30 September 2002 230

Mobile Decontamination

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS acute trusts do not have mobile decontamination facilities available.

Hazel Blears: The Department has provided capital funding from a #5 million allocation in 2002–2003, which will enable all NHS acute trusts and ambulance service trusts to purchase mobile decontamination facilities and associated chemical personal protective clothing. The implementation programme is currently in progress and several individual trusts will still be awaiting delivery.

Vacancies

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there were for (a) medical and dental staff, (b) qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and (c) professions allied to medicine in (i) England, (ii) each NHS region and (iii) each health authority in 2001.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on Monday 19 November 2001, Official Report, column 117–122W.
	Figures for March 2002 are now available and have been placed in the Library.

GP Access Targets

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of GP practices met the 24 and 48 hour access targets set out in the NHS Plan in (a) England, (b) each NHS region and (c) each primary care trust at the latest date for which figures are available.

John Hutton: The information requested by strategic health authority and primary care trust for Quarter 1, 2002–2003 has been placed in the Library.

Hospital Transport

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 1197W, on hospital transport if he will make a statement on the contribution of voluntary providers to accident and emergency transport.

Jacqui Smith: Voluntary aided societies do occasionally convey patients to accident and emergency departments from say, sporting events and very occasionally they may provide support to statutory ambulance services.

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will answer questions 76287 and 75990 from the hon. Member for Yeovil; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 675W (Question 75990). I will write to the hon. Member in response to Question 76287 as soon as possible.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the annual cost was in 2001–02 to the NHS to social services of supporting people who suffer vision loss as a result of wet age-related macular degeneration; what assessment he has made of the impact of patients of the delay in NICE issuing guidance on the use of photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration; and if he will provide funding for a nationally co-ordinated data collection exercise on the use of photodynamic therapy for age related macular degeneration;
	(2)  how many patients have access through ongoing clinical trials to photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration; and how many patients will have access to this therapy as part of future clinical trials being planned.

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the NICE Committee will report its recommendations for age-related macular disease.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 28 October 2002
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently conducting an appraisal of photodynamic therapy. This consultation has been extended to allow further consideration of the draft guidance. We cannot anticipate what NICE'S recommendations will be or assess what, if any, patients who are untreated at present will then be eligible for treatment. The Department will consider the implications of the final NICE guidance. We expect that guidance could be available to the National Health Service in January 2003, providing there are no appeals.
	In the meantime, guidance issued in August 1999 to all NHS bodies asked them to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available at the time the technology first became available. These arrangements should involve an assessment of all the relevant factors including the available evidence on effect. The introduction of photodynamic therapy under these arrangements should be funded locally.
	The Department does not collect data concerning the number of age-related macular degeneration patients currently receiving photodynamic therapy through clinical trials. We are also not in a position to estimate future access through clinical trials; the numbers involved would be a matter for the product manufacturer or others who are conducting the trial.
	It is not possible to identify separately from the data collected from health and social services, the annual cost of supporting people who suffer vision loss as a result of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what proportion of patients newly diagnosed with wet age related macular degeneration have access to photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration through ongoing clinical trials; and what proportion of those patients will have access to this therapy as part of future clinical trials being planned; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will provide funding for the use of photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration pending the completion of a nationally co-ordinated data collection exercise on clinical outcome, quality of life and costs associated with the treatment; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 29 October 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friends the Members for Norwich, North (Dr Gibson) and for Stroud (Mr. Drew) today.

NHS Reform

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department plans to hold strategic health authorities to account for the performance of the NHS within their area as set out in paragraph 7.2 of the document, Improvement, Expansion & Reform: The Next Three Years.

John Hutton: From 2003–04, strategic health authorities (StHAs) will be required to produce local delivery plans, which will set out over a three year period their contribution towards the target and capacity assumptions detailed in Improvement, Expansion & Reform: The Next Three Years. Departmental monitoring systems will be aligned with these targets and assumptions to allow for regular monitoring and hold to account StHAs.
	In addition Directorates of Health and Social Care are setting in place a series of regular performance reviews to manage performance with StHAs. These arrangements will be mirrored at StHA, primary care trust and trust levels.

Social Workers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2002, Official Report, columns 128–9W, on social workers, what the provisional figures are for the numbers of applications for social work training; what action he is taking to make existing social workers realise that their work is valued; how he plans to inform the public about what social workers actually do; and how much funding has been allocated to this initiative.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 29 October 2002
	The national social work recruitment campaign was launched in October 2001 by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health. It is aimed at informing the public about social work and social care and encouraging recruitment and retention. The funding for the campaign is #1.5 million in the year 2001–2002. This includes both national and local press and radio advertising and particular efforts are being made in some areas such as London and the south east that have more severe problems with recruitment and retention of social workers.
	The third phase of the recruitment campaign was launched on 24 October 2002. The campaign consists of national advertising, leaflets, posters, local and national PR activity, a help line and a website. It has three aims:
	To raise the number of people applying for social work training by 5000 by 2004.
	To inform the public about what social workers actually do.
	To make existing social workers realise that their work is valued.
	Since the start of the campaign, there have been more than 40,000 callers to the telephone helpline and website. Applications have seen the first increase since 1995. The provisional figure suggests that over 5,000 have been received, which represents' a year on year increase of 8.3 per cent.

Silicone Cosmesis

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what sums were allocated for expenditure on silicone cosmesis for artificial limbs from the NHS community services budget in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04; and what sums were identified by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency as having been spent on silicone cosmesis for artificial limbs from that budget in (i) 2001 02 and (ii) 2002–03.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 6 November 2002
	Baseline allocations of #0.5 million in 2001–02, #1.5 million in 2002–03 and #2.0 million in 2003–04 were expected to be used for the provision of silicone cosmesis for artificial limbs. Spending on silicone cosmesis through the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency was #81,858 for 2001–02, and #182,841 so far in 2002–03.

Prison Service (Mental Health)

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary for Health when he expects the Prison Service mental Health teams to have completed their review of the physical cell environment to reduce ligature points in (a) young offender institutions and (b) adult prisons.

Hilary Benn: I have been asked to reply. 
	The Prison Service's strategy to reduce self-inflicted deaths includes changes to the physical environment, such as the re-design of cell windows and furniture to reduce ligature points. It has already produced, tested and procured a safer cell design, a number of installations of which have already been completed and are in use. Safer cell designs address the design of furniture, toilets and basin fixtures, windows, lighting and heating. The Prison Service is also developing a second stage safer cell design as well as reviewing current cell furniture designs and producing new ones, so that standard-issue cell furniture may benefit from an improved reduced-ligature design.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Sponsorships

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the schemes and initiatives sponsored by her Department and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out, showing (a) the authorities or areas covered by the scheme and (b) the budget of the scheme in the last year for which information is available.

Kim Howells: The following schemes and initiatives are sponsored by my Department in partnership with other funding bodies.
	Space for Sports and Arts Programme (SSA)
	Space for Sports and Arts Programme (SSA), is a partnership between traditional public expenditure of #75 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund and #55 million from the three Lottery distributors: New Opportunities Fund (#25 million), Sport England (#25 million) and Arts Council of England (#5 million).
	The SSA programme is being rolled out in 65 local authorities in deprived areas. The budget for the programme is #130million from the beginning of 2000 to March 2004, which is the life of the programme. Approximately 297 projects are planned in the 65 local authorities. The Local Education Authorities (LEAs) invited to bid were:
	Barking and Dagenham, Barnsley, Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford, Brent, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, City of Nottingham, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derby City, Derbyshire, Doncaster, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gateshead, Greenwich, Hackney, Hartlepool, Islington, Kent, Kingston-upon-Hull, Knowsley, Lambeth, Lancashire, Leeds, Leicester City, Lewisham, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Medway, Middlesbrough, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Newham, Norfolk, North Somerset, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Redcar and Cleveland, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sheffield, Slough, Somerset, South Tyneside, Southwark, St Helens, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Tower Hamlets, Trafford, Walsall, Wirral, Wolverhampton.
	Portable Antiquities Scheme
	The Portable Antiquities Scheme was established in 1997 to encourage members of the public to report all finds of archaeological objects. Since Autumn 1997 DCMS has been funding six pilot schemes to promote voluntary reporting of all archaeological finds. These pilots were established in
	Kent, Norfolk, North Lincolnshire, North West (Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cumbria) West Midlands and Yorks. A further six pilots have been funded for three years by Heritage Lottery Fund since Spring 1999. These pilots were established in Dorset & Somerset, Hampshire, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, Wales, and in London.
	A bid for a three-year funding for a national network of 41 posts at a cost of #1.5 million a year from April 2003 was approved by the Heritage Lottery Fund in May. This bid has 63 national and local partners each of whom is contributing 10 per cent. towards the cost.
	In 2002–2003 the Department is providing #411,000 to support the current pilot schemes until the new funding comes on line.
	The following schemes and initiatives are by public bodies sponsored by DCMS. These are not the subject of national roll out.
	Splash Extra
	This was a joint DCMS/Youth Justice Board programme of summer activities targeted on those 9–17 year olds identified as most at risk of offending in the areas covered across Government. A list of those areas covered will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Resourced by the New Opportunities Fund, and providing almost 300 estate-based schemes across England, Splash Extra established a menu of high quality sports, arts and personal development activities.
	The budget was #8.5 million for the last financial year.

Sport (Social Agenda)

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the contribution sport can make to meeting the Government's social agenda; and how much investment the Government are making in sports' governing bodies for delivering this purpose.

Richard Caborn: A Sporting Future for All and the Government's Plan for Sport fully recognised the potential of sport and physical activity as a powerful tool for social, educational and physical well being. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport is therefore working very closely with colleagues in other Government departments including Education and Skills, Health, Home Office, Transport and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which have an interest in sport representatives from whom he meets every month.
	Many of the current sports funding programmes are also targeted specifically at areas of social and sporting deprivation. These include the New Opportunities Fund Sport and PE in School programme, the Spaces for Sport and the Arts programme and Sport Action Zones.
	Government funding for national governing bodies of sport is largely channelled through the sports councils. This funding supports a range of their activities including their sports development plans which will in many instances have an impact on areas such as social inclusion, physical well being and crime reduction.

Sustainable Procurement

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 2 July 2002, Official Report, columns 260–61W, on recycling, if she will make a statement on how her Department defines sustainable procurement.

Kim Howells: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport engages in procurement considering the effective protection of the environment and prudent use of natural resources. The whole life performance and cost are considered before purchase. This includes not only purchase price but the impact on the environment and cost of operation and the impact and cost of disposal. For example the latest office furniture purchased has full Forest Stewardship Certification supplied by a World Wildlife Fund approved company and will, at the end of it's useful life, be capable of 100 per cent. recycling.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what strategies her Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Kim Howells: My Department is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and has a policy not to discriminate on the grounds of age. All policies on recruitment, development, performance management and retention are continuously reviewed to ensure that there are no age barriers to employment.

Recruitment (over 50s)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of new recruits to her Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

Kim Howells: The percentage of new recruits to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport aged 50 or over in each of the last two years is shown below:
	1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001–8.3 per cent.
	1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002–5.3 per cent.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 15 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Tony Bowyer.

Kim Howells: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. I shall therefore write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Broadcasting

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures she is introducing to secure the future of (a) independent television broadcasters and (b) local programmes in Northern Ireland.

Kim Howells: The Government are seeking to introduce a Communications Bill in the next Session that would include provisions intended to retain and strengthen the regional dimension to public service broadcasting. Under the new three tier structure for the regulation of broadcasting, OFCOM would have to agree targets with the public service broadcasters for regional (and where appropriate local) programming and/or regional productions. The Channel 3 service would continue to be licensed on a regional basis.

Broadcasting

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what role ITV will be required to play in sustaining local programming under the new ITV Charter for the Nations and Regions.

Kim Howells: The Charter for Broadcasting in the Nations and Regions is an agreement between the Independent Television Commission (ITC) and the ITV Companies. The Charter sets out levels of quality and investment for a diverse range of programmes designed to reflect life within the nations and regions. Through the Charter the ITV Companies aim to secure the quality and accessibility of national and regional programmes into the future.

Extreme Sports

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with stakeholders concerning regulating extreme sports.

Kim Howells: The Department has not had any discussions with stakeholders concerning regulating extreme sports.

Olympic Games

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with interested parties on the practicalities of a London bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

Kim Howells: Officials from my Department have held regular meetings during this year with all the key stakeholders to discuss the implications of London bidding to host the 2012 Olympic Games. These stakeholders were the Greater London Authority, the British Olympic Association, UK Sport and Sport England. In addition all interested Government Departments have been involved in assessing the ARUP report on the Costs and Benefits of a 2012 London Olympic Bid.
	My right hon. Friend, The Secretary of State has met the Mayor of London and will meet the British Olympic Association to discuss the practicalities of such a bid.

Football

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many football games Ministers in her Department have attended since 1 June 2001 in their official capacity; and where those games took place.

Kim Howells: holding answer 6 November 2002
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State attended a football match on the 21 of April 2002 between Norwich City and Stockport County and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport attended the following matches:
	1–09–01—England vs Germany, Munich
	5–09–01—England vs Albania, Newcastle
	6–10–01—England vs Greece, Manchester
	10–11–01—England vs Sweden, Aston Villa
	5–12–01—West Ham United vs Aston Villa, Upton Park
	6–03–02—Liverpool vs Newcastle, Liverpool
	22–03–02—England vs Scotland U19's, Sheffield
	27–03–02—England vs Italy, Leeds
	2–06–02—England vs Sweden, Saitama, World Cup
	7–06–02—England vs Argentina, Sapporo, World Cup
	12–06–02—England vs Nigeria, Osaka, World Cup
	16–10–02—England vs Macedonia, Southampton

Racist Incidents

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with (a) European colleagues, (b) the FA and (c) other interested parties regarding recent racist incidents involving British-based players in Europe in competitions.

Kim Howells: Neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State have discussed with European colleagues, the FA or other interested parties the recent racist incidents involving British—based players in European in competitions. This is a matter for UEFA, who are reviewing the events.
	However, the Government shares the revulsion which has been widely expressed following recent matches in Europe. The Government also supports the Europe-wide programme of anti-racism activities organised by Football Against Racism in Europe with the full support and involvement of the Kick it Out campaign.

Parliamentary Questions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to her from hon. Members in this session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

Kim Howells: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Queen Alexandra Hospital Site

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what conditions on development were laid down by her Department when it gave the former Queen Alexandra hospital site in John Islip street, Westminster, to the Tate Gallery; and what the purpose was of such conditions with respect to development on the site for (a) residential housing and (b) commercial offices.

Kim Howells: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Special Advisers

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 24 May 2002, Official Report, columns 648–9W, how many visits have been conducted by each parliamentary adviser appointed by her Department and to where; and what visits have been conducted by advisers appointed subsequent to 24 May.

Kim Howells: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

British Board of Film Classification

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the members of the British Board of Film Classification.

Kim Howells: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Sport Grants

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will announce the level of grant to (a) Sport England and (b) UK Sport for financial year 2003–2004; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what public consultations have been commenced by her Department in each month since 20 July; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Kim Howells: One consultation has been commenced by the Department in this period. The Review of Lottery Funding consultation began on 29 July 2002 and ended on 30 October 2002. It can be found at www.culture.gov.uk.

Film Council

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Film Council is taking to increase the number of films that are (a) subtitled and (b) audio-described.

Kim Howells: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Alcohol Licensing

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she estimates the removal of licensing jurisdiction from the courts to the local authorities will contribute to the Government's aims to (a) reduce crime and the fear of crime and (b) increase public confidence.

Kim Howells: The Government are confident that the proposed transfer of responsibility for alcohol licensing from licensing justices to local authorities will assist its efforts to reduce crime and the fear of crime. Since 1998 local authorities have had a leading statutory role in preventing local crime and disorder and the link between alcohol and crime is therefore a strong argument for them taking responsibility for alcohol licensing.
	The transfer of responsibility should not however be considered in isolation. The Government's proposed Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Bill will also include a whole package of measures designed to reduce crime and the fear of crime. These will include providing the police with extended powers to close pubs, clubs and off-licences that create disorder. The Bill will strengthen the law on the sale of alcohol to under-18s and will give the police greater powers to confiscate alcohol in certain public areas. It will abolish the artificially early closing times that are the source of much of the trouble on our streets at night and there will be enhanced police powers to confiscate alcohol. Local residents will also be able to object to any premises licence application, or request a review of a licence that has been granted, if they have concerns about that licence in relation to crime.

Health and Safety

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to assess the safety practices of bungee jumping.

Nick Brown: I have been asked to reply.
	Health and safety law applies to bungee jumping activities. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 are of direct relevance.
	The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the industry have assessed health and safety in this activity and have issued guidance.
	As a result of a recent fatal accident the Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive will review the safety practices in the light of findings of the continuing investigation.
	Responsibility for enforcement of health and safety law in respect of bungee jumping activities falls to the relevant authority.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

GM Organisms

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is her Department's position on acceptable thresholds for the adventitious presence of genetically modified organisms in seed batches of (a) oil seed rape, (b) tomatoes, (c) beet, (d) cotton, (e) chicory, (f) maize, (g) potatoes and (h) soya beans; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 21 October 2002
	The EU Commission has proposed the following thresholds for the adventitious presence of approved GM seeds in non-GM seeds:
	0.3 per cent. for swede rape
	0.5 per cent. for tomato, beet, chicory, maize, cotton and potato
	0.7 per cent. for soya bean
	The Government is giving careful consideration to our position on these proposals. In so doing, we shall aim to preserve consumer choice by seeking adequate protection for the integrity of non-GM seeds.

GM Organisms

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out her policy towards draft EU proposals for new seed regulations.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 21 October 2002
	The Government is giving careful consideration to the EU Commission's proposals on thresholds for the adventitious presence of approved GM seeds in non-GM seeds. In so doing, we shall aim to preserve consumer choice by seeking adequate protection for the integrity of non-GM seeds.

Organic Standards

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answers on 29 October (76252, 76253 and 76254), if she will place the correspondence to and from her Department and the United States Department of Agriculture and organic certifiers relating to UK organic standards and the US National Organic Plan in the Library.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 5 November 2002
	I have today placed in the Library the following correspondence between the Department and the US Department of Agriculture—
	A letter dated 4 December 2001 from James Hughes, First Secretary (Agriculture and Trade Policy) at the British Embassy in Washington, to Mr. A J Yates acting Administrator of the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service formally applying for recognition of the UK's approved certifiers of organic food. (The documents enclosed with this letter can be found on the Departments website at http://defraweb/farm/organic/default.htm)
	A letter dated 8 January 2002 from the Richard H Mathews, Programme Manager for the National Organic Programme, acknowledging Mr. Hughes' letter,
	A letter dated 21 October 2002 from Mr. Yates to Alex Dasi-Sutton acting Secretary of UKROFS confirming that the USDA has determined the UKROFS' procedures for approving organic inspection bodies to be sufficient to secure conformity with the NOP.
	We are discussing with the UK organic inspection bodies how best to deal with the conditions set out in Mr. Yates letter of 21 October and will be sending a substantive reply to this letter shortly.
	I have also placed in the Library letters dated 5 September and 25 September 2002 to UK importers of organic produce and UK inspection bodies confirming that sufficient assurances had been received from the principal inspection bodies in the US to enable authorisation to import produce certified by those bodies to remain in place.

Illegal Food Imports

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many non-statutory inspections were carried out for illegal food imports in each of the last 10 years, broken down by category.

Elliot Morley: Control of imports of products of animal origin is the responsibility of Local/Port Health Authorities. Information on the number of inspections carried out is not held centrally. During the course of checks for other products (including drugs and money), illegal food imports may also be found. Since 1 April 2001, 3899 seizures of animal products have been reported to Defra).

Animal Welfare

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will support the European Commission's proposal that financial assistance should be given to farmers to help them adopt higher animal welfare systems.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 30 October 2002
	As a European leader in the animal welfare field, the UK supports the principle of encouraging adoption of higher welfare standards through financial assistance. However, we will need to be careful that any system adopted is workable and fair, and that it is compatible with World Trade Organisation rules.

Animal Welfare

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will support the European Commission's proposal to link the payment of Common Agricultural Policy subsidies to farmers with their compliance with animal welfare laws; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 30 October 2002
	The Government supports the principle of the European Commission's proposal to decouple support from production and create a single income payment linked to compliance with animal welfare, environment and food and occupational safety standards. There has only been limited discussion on this aspect of the proposals so far and more clarification is needed, as the details will be important to the effectiveness of this proposal.

Animal Welfare

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the welfare of milking cows.

Elliot Morley: There is legislation in place to protect the welfare of dairy cows. The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 sets down general welfare requirements for all farmed animals, including some detailed requirements for cattle. There is also a specific welfare code on cattle. This is currently being updated and the revised code will include a separate section devoted to the welfare of dairy cattle.

Animal Welfare

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) live sheep and (b) live pigs have been exported from the United Kingdom to date in 2002 for (i) slaughter, (ii) further fattening and (iii) breeding; and how many (A) sheep and (B) pigs in each of these categories were exported to each individual country of destination.

Elliot Morley: The total number of live sheep and live pigs certified for export from the United Kingdom between 1 January 2002 and 1 November 2002 for slaughter, fattening and breeding are shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Live Sheep   
			 Country of destination Slaughter Fattening Breeding 
		
		
			 Austria 0 0 22 
			 Belgium 0 0 4 
			 France 49,476 3,040 158 
			 Germany 4,129 0 5 
			 Isle of Man 0 0 11 
			 Italy 29,244 0 0 
			 Netherlands 456 0 55 
			 Republic of Ireland 166,865 385 92 
			  
			 Totals 250,170 3,425 347 
		
	
	
		
			  Live Pigs   
			 Country of destination Slaughter Fattening Breeding 
		
		
			 Belgium 0 0 3,888 
			 Denmark 0 0 47 
			 France 0 0 47 
			 Germany 0 0 3,628 
			 Greece 0 0 171 
			 Isle of Man 0 0 71 
			 Italy 0 0 1,194 
			 Netherlands 0 0 9,038 
			 Philippines 0 0 75 
			 Poland 0 0 701 
			 Spain 0 0 1,607 
			 Republic of Ireland 20,951 0 22 
			  
			 Totals 20,951 0 20,489

Animal Welfare

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many live sheep were exported from Dover to continental Europe on (a) 17 October, (b) 18 October, (c) 20 October and (d) 24 October; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (i) during inspection for health certification purposes and (ii) at Dover docks, and to where those sheep were taken; and what the address was of the final destination on the route plan for each of the consignments;
	(2)  how many live sheep were exported from Dover to continental Europe on the (a) Alda-K, and (b) Caroline to Continental Europe on the 29 October; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (i) during inspection for health certification purposes and (ii) at Dover docks, and to where those sheep were taken; and what the address was of the final destination on the route plan for each of the consignments.

Elliot Morley: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Date Total animals Where consignments were certified Animals rejected at certification Animals rejected at Dover docks Destination 
		
		
			 17–10 3000 England, Scotland and Wales 20 0 France 
			 18–10 3575 Wales 37 0 France and Holland 
			 20–10 2675 England and Wales 80 0 Italy and France 
			 24–10 2515 England and Wales 19 0 Italy and France 
			 29–10 Alda-K 2666 England and Wales 22 0 Italy, Belgium, Germany and France 
			 29–10 Caroline 2621 England and Wales 32 0 Italy and France 
		
	
	The sheep for the consignments listed above were certified within 48 hours prior to export. These consignments, apart from the sailing on 17 October which were fattening animals transported to a single holding, went to approved slaughterhouses. The animals which were rejected at certification remained in Great Britain.

Home Energy Conservation Bill

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representation her Department has received from local authorities (a) prior to and (b) following the withdrawal of the Home Energy Conservation Bill; and if she will list these local authorities.

Michael Meacher: We have received representations from Local Authorities regarding various aspects of the Home Energy Conservation Bill. They were all received prior to the Bill's withdrawal.
	The following Local Authorities have expressed general support for the Bill;
	Acaster Malbis Parish Council
	Adlington Town Council
	Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
	Bath and North East Somerset Council
	Bedfordshire County Council
	Berwick upon Tweed Borough Council
	Bottesford Town Council
	Broadland District Council
	Carrickfergus Borough Council
	Castle Morpeth Borough Council
	Chelmsford Borough Council
	Cinderford Town Council
	City of Manchester
	City of Sunderland Council
	Clitheroe Town Council
	Copeland Borough Council
	Cumbria County Council
	Cyngor Tref Nefyn Town Council
	Derbyshire County Council
	Dover District Council
	Dyseth Community Council
	Easington District Council
	East Cambridgeshire District Council
	East Hampshire District Council
	East Riding Council
	Ellesemere Town Council
	Exeter City Council
	Harmby Parish Council
	Havant Borough Council
	Heath Charnock Parish Council
	Heighington Parish Council
	Hemsworth and District Borough Council
	Isle of Anglesey County Council
	King's Lynn and West Norfolk
	Kingston upon Thames Council
	Lewes District Council
	Macclesfield
	Market Rasen Town Council
	Newcastle City Council
	North Devon District Council
	Northampton Borough Council
	North Lincolnshire Council
	North Shropshire District Council
	North West Leicestershire District Council
	North Wiltshire District Council
	Norwich City Council
	Nottinghamshire County Council
	Oswestry Rural Parish Council
	Oxford City Council
	Pendle Borough Council
	Pentir Community Council
	Penzance Town Council
	Pilning and Severn Beach Parish Council
	Powys County Council
	Radyr and Morganstown Community Council
	Rudgwick Parish Council
	Sevenoaks District Council
	Shropshire County Council
	South Gloucestershire Council
	St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council
	Stoke Gifford Parish Council
	Stoke Holy Cross Parish Council
	Swindon Borough Council
	Trawsfynydd Community Council
	Tynedale Council
	Wellingborough Borough Council
	West Lindsey District Council
	Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
	Woking Borough Council
	The following Local Authorities have expressed support for the Bill ''in principle'';
	Castle Point Borough Council
	Swindon Borough Council
	The following Local Authorities have expressed support for the Bill, provided that extra funding is provided;
	Ashford Borough Council
	Bedford Borough Council
	Bradford Metropolitan District Council
	Bromsgrove District Council
	District of Easington
	Lewes District Council
	London Borough of Havering
	Rochford District Council
	Tewkesbury Borough Council
	The following local authorities have requested that statutory targets be included in the Bill;
	Daventry District Council
	Derbyshire County Council
	Hyndburn Borough Council
	Northamptonshire County Council
	Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
	Oldham Council
	Oxfordshire County Council
	Preston Borough Council
	The following local authorities have expressed support for the clauses of the Bill that relate to Fuel Poverty;
	Brighton and Hove Council
	Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Rural Funding

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many funding commitments were launched by her Department and across the Government following the publication of the Rural White Paper in November 2000, stating which (a) require bidding and (b) are linked to a set funding formula; and what total amount is available for each commitment.

Alun Michael: There are 260 key commitments contained or referred to in the Rural White Paper, of which 29 have direct funding arrangements. The figures are set out in the table below. Further information on the progress of these schemes is available in our Rural White Paper implementation plan on www.defra.gov.uk
	
		
			 Funding Commitment Bidding Set Funding Formula Total 
		
		
			 Community Service Fund* Y  #15m over 3 years 
			 Refurbishing Post Offices Y  #2m 
			 Single Small Schools Fund  Y #240m over 3 years 
			 One stop primary care centres  Y #100m 
			 Sure Start Y  #22m 
			 Social Exclusion Projects  Y #4.5 
			 Police Visibility in rural areas  Y #60m 
			 Housing Corporation programme of affordable housing in settlements under 3000  Y Figures currently 
			 being collated 
			 Starter Homes Initiative  Y #250m 
			 Rural Housing Enablers* Y  #2.8m 
			 Promote flexible lettings policies by Local Authorities  Y #13m 
			 Rural Transport Partnership* Y  19.5m 
			 Parish Transport Fund* Y  #15m 
			 Rural Bus Subsidy  Y #132m 
			 Rural Bus Challenge Y  #20m 
			 Community Rail Partnerships* Y  #0.2m 
			 Rail Passenger Partnership Y  #52m 
			 Regeneration of 100 market towns*  Y #37m 
			 Leader+* Y  #50m 
			 Business clusters  Y #54m 
			 Help for small/ medium sized abattoirs*  Y #20m 
			 School Milk Scheme  Y #1.5m 
			 National School Fruit Scheme  Y #42m 
			 Extension of Redundant Buildings Grant scheme Y  #4m 
			 Local Heritage Initiative Y  #5m 
			 National Parks Grants*  Y #31.5m (2002–03) 
			 Increased funding for AONBs*  Y #1.1m (2002–03) 
			 National training strategy/ best practice toolkit for Parish and Town Councils*  Y #2m 
			 Help 1000 rural communities prepare plans* Y  #5m 
		
	
	Notes:
	* Programmes administered by Defra or one of its agencies
	The European Rural Development Programme is an important component in the delivery of the policies set out in the Rural White Paper. This programme commits #1.6 billion in funding over 7 years.

Illegal Meat Imports

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many illegal meat imports were identified by Customs and Excise entering the UK in each of the last 10 years, broken down by category and where they were discovered.

Elliot Morley: The records held by Defra on the seizure of illegal food imports date back to 1 April 2001. Prior to that date, information on seizures was not held centrally.
	Since 1 April 2001, HM Customs and Excise have reported a total of 2147 seizures to Defra. Of those, there have been 1473 seizures of meat, 269 of fish, 58 of dairy products, 330 multiple seizures in which more than one type of produce of animal origin was found and 17 other seizures (which included products such as honey).

Illegal Meat Imports

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which of the notifiable diseases mentioned in Schedule 2A of the Government's Animal Health Bill 2001 she estimates are able to enter the country by illegally imported bushmeat.

Elliot Morley: There is no precise definition of the term bushmeat, but this is generally understood to mean the meat of wild animals hunted for food, derived mainly from Central and West African countries.
	As part of our Action Plan on illegal imports, we are carrying out a risk assessment to provide information on the likelihood that infected meat will enter the country undetected and infect susceptible livestock. This risk assessment is nearing completion. The risk assessment is focussing initially on the risk posed by Foot and Mouth Disease, though further work will follow on the swine diseases (Classical and African swine fever, swine vesicular disease). It would be possible to use the risk assessment model for other diseases as listed in Schedule 2A, where necessary and appropriate.
	Of the diseases listed in Schedule 2A of the Animal Health Bill, Bluetongue and African horse sickness are not transmissible through meat/meat products (they are insect-borne). Other diseases are transmissible via meat, although the risks vary considerably. Generally, the viruses and bacteria present will depend on the species of meat, handling following slaughter, the processing it has undergone (for example, viruses are unlikely to survive the drying or smoking process), whether the product is on the bone, or has large quantities of offal, the temperature at which it has been kept and the length of time taken to reach the UK. The risk of infected bushmeat coming into contact with susceptible livestock is another important variable.

Illegal Meat Imports

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions there have been since January 2000 of persons found to be selling illegally imported meat products.

Elliot Morley: Responsibility for enforcing the law on imported meat products at the point of sale lies with local authorities. Information on prosecutions is not held centrally.
	Defra is aware that in 2001, HM Customs and Excise prosecuted three people for offences relating to the import of meat covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Two were convicted on CITES offences and one was acquitted, but convicted under a separate Animal Health charge. This year, we are aware of one successful prosecution brought by Crawley Borough Council in July, and six cautions issued by the London Port Health Authority in October. All related to the illegal importation of animal products.

Illegal Meat Imports

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many extra staff have been appointed to detect illegally imported meat at ports of entry to the UK since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 4 November 2002
	An additional #1.5 million has been allocated in this financial year to fund extra checks. Discussions have been held with Local/Port Health Authorities on how best to target the resources. We expect to be able to fund between 18 and 30 extra officers this year. Sixteen officers have already started work or are just about to.

Illegal Meat Imports

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2002, Official Report, column 585W, on illegal meat imports, what progress has been made towards implementing the action plan; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Since April, significant progress to implement the action plan has been made:
	The risk assessment to provide information on the likelihood that infected meat will enter the country undetected, and infect susceptible livestock will be published later this year.
	We have increased the number of targeted checks carried out this year, especially on passenger bags.
	An extra #1.5 million has been allocated in this financial year for additional enforcement officers to perform checks on imports at selected ports and airports.
	At European level, new rules on personal import allowances were adopted on 20 September and come in to force on 1 January 2003.
	A six-month pilot using detector dogs to find illegal animal products in passenger baggage and freight commenced at Heathrow on 16 September.
	The ''Don't bring back more than you bargained for'' public awareness campaign, launched on 8 July. Two video fillers are currently being distributed, and we have already produced and distributed a radio filler, posters and leaflets.

Biosecurity

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; if she will list the biosecurity measures, introduced by the Government at UK air and seaports since the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

Elliot Morley: Biosecurity measures are in place at various points in the production chain. For example, leaflets giving advice on biosecurity have been issued to farmers. Due to the increased numbers of animals being imported to replace livestock, surveillance for certain diseases, (for example brucellosis) has been enhanced. The Government has introduced new biosecurity requirements for premises assembling live animals for intra-Community trade. These are in addition to the EU animal health rules covering assembly centres.
	The Government's Action Plan on Illegal Imports, published on 28 March set out measures to reduce the risk of animal and plant diseases entering the country. Since publication of the Plan, a number of measures have been put into place specifically at air and seaports. On 22 May, enforcement officers were given additional powers to search commercial consignments and personal baggage for illegal imports. We have increased the number and improved the locations of posters explaining our import controls at the major UK airports. On 19 September, a six month pilot using detector dogs began at Heathrow. In this financial year, an extra #1.5 million has been allocated for checks to be conducted by additional enforcement officers at certain ports and airports. A risk assessment was commissioned to ascertain the amount of illegal imports, the risk that they are infected with a major animal disease, and the probability that the disease could enter the food chain, infecting our livestock and wildlife. The results of this risk assessment are due later this autumn and will help us determine the extent of the problem and the appropriate level of response.

Forest Stewardship Council

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding the Government has allocated to the Forest Stewardship Council in each year since 1997.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 28 October 2002
	We have not allocated any funding to the Forest Stewardship Council.

Electrical Appliances

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research has been conducted by her Department on assessing the role of consumer choice in product purchase and its impact on energy efficiency and total energy demand from domestic electrical appliances.

Michael Meacher: The Department's Market Transformation Programme (MTP), working with the Energy Saving Trust, the Carbon Trust, manufacturers, retailers and other experts, carries out or acquires market research and analysis to help develop measures for reducing the total energy consumed by domestic appliances and other equipment. MTP currently maintains detailed consultative Policy Briefs accounting for around 90 per cent. of domestic energy consumption with baselines and projections to 2010 and beyond. All this information is open to scrutiny and review on the programme web-site (www.mtprog.com)
	The role of consumer choice and reliable consumer environmental product information is a central consideration in constructing effective action programmes. The approach is to achieve better choice of efficient products by stimulating innovation and competition (for example, by mandatory EU ''A to G'' energy rating labels); encouraging market take-up of the best available products (for example, by the ''Energy Efficiency Recommended'' endorsement scheme and the Energy Efficiency Commitment); and discouraging the poorest performing equipment, by regulation or by voluntary agreements with industry.
	Our analysis shows that this approach has been very successful in increasing consumer choice of efficient products and in raising overall efficiency levels. For example, in 1995 the most efficient fridges and freezers generally available to UK consumers would have been rated ''B'', with nearly half of UK consumers choosing the least efficient categories ''D, E and F''. Today, the range of choice is within a much higher band of energy performance: the most efficient products actually exceeding the ''A'' rating and only a very few available below a ''C'' rating.

Antibiotics

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the extent of antibiotic use in agriculture, and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Government take the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria very seriously and is developing policies to minimise unnecessary use of antibiotics in controlling animal diseases.
	One of the key planks of the Government's strategy to reduce the amount of antibiotics used on farm is to encourage the prudent use of all medicines. The Government actively supports the activities of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) alliance in helping to promote this message.
	Government policy on this issue is informed by the advice of its specialist advisory committees. My Department funds a research programme with a principle aim of reducing the use of antibiotics by developing alternative approaches to animal disease control.
	The Government also monitor annually the sale of antibiotics for use in animals in the UK. In February 2002 the Government published the latest of its annual reports for sales of antimicrobial products used as veterinary medicines, growth promoters and coccidiostats. The report showed that 437 tonnes of active ingredient of therapeutic antimicrobials were sold for food producing animals in 2000. This slight increase over the previous period is believed to be due in the main to the EU ban of some antimicrobial growth promoters in June 1999, which resulted in a rise in clinical infections in animals that required treatment. There has also been an increased need to treat secondary infections in pigs suffering from two new diseases in the pig industry (Post-weaning Multi-system Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) or Porcine Dermatitis and Nephritis Syndrome (PDNS) that are having a significant impact on our domestic pig herds. Despite the increase, sales for 2000 remain amongst the lowest of the eight years for which sales data are available.
	No antibiotic products are used in horticulture in the UK.
	The report is available in the House library.

African Exports

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the price was at 1st October of one kilo of (a) unprocessed cocoa Beans, (b) unprocessed coffee beans, (c) unprocessed sugar cane, (d) processed cocoa products containing more than 31 per cent. cocoa solids, (e) roasted ground coffee and (f) refined white sugar from (i) Kenya and (ii) Uganda; and what percentage of this price was an imposed tarif.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 5 November 2002
	Overseas Trade Statistics show that, of the commodities listed, only (b) unprocessed coffee beans have recently been imported into the UK from Kenya and Uganda. The price of one kilo of unprocessed coffee beans from Kenya is #1.37 and from Uganda #0.67. These prices are based on the value and volume of imports in August, the latest month for which information is available, and represent the price at the point of entry to the UK. There is no imposed tariff on these imports.

Environment Council

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what was the outcome of the Environment Council on 17 October; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: I represented the UK at Environment Council on 17 October, accompanied by Mr. Ross Finnie, the Scottish Executive Minister for Environment and Rural Development. This was the first Environment Council of the Danish Presidency. It was also the first to be held under the Council's new rules of procedure, which provide that final debates and votes on legislative proposals subject to co-decision with the European Parliament are held in public. The Council reached political agreement on 3 proposals and made progress on a range of other important issues.
	The Council reached political agreement on a Common Position on the revision of the EC Directive on packaging and packaging waste, which was along the lines of the general approach adopted at June Council. I strongly supported this proposal, which sets targets for recovery and recycling that the UK will find challenging, but achievable. These include a minimum 60 per cent. recovery target and recycling targets between 55–70 per cent., with a 2008 deadline for implementation. The only opposition was from Belgium and the Netherlands, who would have preferred even more demanding targets.
	Political agreement was reached on the ''Seveso II'' Directive, which I also supported. This modifies the existing Directive on the prevention and control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances. It introduces new controls on hazardous sites across the EU. Obligations will be placed on industrial operators to put into effect Safety Management Systems and detailed risk assessments, as well as to provide information to the public.
	Political agreement was also reached on a Regulation to complete implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in relation to transboundary movements of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) from the Community. Along with the Commission, I argued that the Regulation should be as closely consistent with the Protocol as possible. After lengthy negotiations we secured significant improvements to the text, namely that the form of identification of GMOs in mixed bulk shipments should be consistent with other EC legislation, including existing legislation on the release of GMOs and the forthcoming proposed Regulation on traceability and labelling. Furthermore, express consent from the importer will be required for the first international transboundary movement of GM material. On the basis of the improved text I was able to support the political agreement.
	There was a short discussion on the proposed Regulation on traceability and labelling of GMOs in products. This focussed on links with a proposal to cover GMOs in food and feed, which had been discussed at Agriculture Council earlier in the same week. There is still some way to go before Member States can reach political agreement, and Council requested that the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) continue to work on this dossier.
	There was an orientation debate concerning the proposed directive on emissions trading, with a view to being in a position to seek political agreement at the December Council. I strongly supported the scheme but pressed for flexibility during the first period, in order to allow it to interact more easily with national schemes, such as the UK's successful existing regime, and allow inclusion of other sectors and gases.
	Council adopted conclusions on the implementation of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. This included follow-up to environment-related commitments from the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. It called for a strengthening of the Cardiff process of integrating environmental considerations into EU business, and adopted a set of environment-related indicators which it recommended for inclusion in the Commission's report to the Spring European Council. The Conclusions include reference to the need, also accepted by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on the 15 October, to take account of EU commitments made at the WTO meeting in Doha and at Johannesburg in considering the future of the Common Agriculture Policy and Common Fisheries Policy.
	Council Conclusions on climate change were adopted, without discussion, defining the EU's negotiating position for the 8 Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change in New Delhi. The Conclusions call for all Annex 1 developed countries which accepted the comprehensive and balanced Kyoto agreement reached in Bonn and Marrakech last year to ratify the Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible so as to achieve its entry into force in the near future. Developed countries which do not intend to ratify are urged to meet their responsibilities under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and to return their emissions to 1990 levels. The Conclusions also recall the ultimate objective of the Convention—to achieve stabilisation of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere at a safe level and call upon all states to engage in a dialogue with a view to initiating at the 8 Conference of the Parties a process for further action under the Convention and the Protocol.
	We were able to support the negotiating mandate for the EC for the 12 Conference of the Parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and were pleased to see it agreed without amendment. There was unanimous support for the UK's proposal to list the Basking Shark in Appendix II, and unanimous agreement to oppose the Japanese proposal to downlist two species of whales (Minke and Bryde's whales), which would effectively reopen trade in the species.
	The Council took note of progress on the proposed Environmental Liability Directive. The Presidency indicated that political agreement would not be possible at the December Council, as the European Parliament's first reading is not expected until spring 2003. The Presidency updated Council on the proposed Regulation on the monitoring of forests (Forest Focus) which aims to establish a Community scheme to assess forest ecosystem conditions. The Presidency also updated Council on two inter-related proposals, a Regulation and a Council Decision, to implement the Rotterdam Convention on a Prior Informed Consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade. On the Regulation, a compromise package has been approved in Coreper and has been forwarded to the European Parliament.
	Under any other business, the Commission presented a report on mercury from the Chlor-Alkali industry, which followed a request from the Council in June 2001 to clarify the legal situation. The Greek delegation presented the outcome of the Euro-Med conference that took place in Athens on 10 July 2002. The German delegation made a statement on the financing of the European Committee for Standardisation Environmental Helpdesk. The French delegation started an exchange of views on possible European action in the field of flood prevention. In relation to this the Commission informed Council that a Communication on an integrated strategy on prevention, preparation and response to natural and technological risks is under preparation. Austria and Ireland made a joint statement on nuclear power in the context of sustainable development. Finally, the Danish delegation presented the results of a meeting of EU nature and forest Directors, which took place in Vigso, Denmark on 2–4 October 2002.

Local Agenda 21

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information on the work of Local Agenda 21 groups is received in her Department; and what efforts are made to consolidate their views

Michael Meacher: The Government monitored progress on Local Agenda 21 (LA21) until the end of 2000. By then over 93 per cent. of local authorities in England and Wales had LA21 strategies in place. There had also been a number of studies into LA21 in the UK. The Local Government Act 2000 placed a duty on local authorities to prepare community strategies for promoting the economic, social and environmental well being of their communities and contributing to sustainable development in the UK. The Government's statutory guidance says that authorities should build on the experience of partnership working and community engagement gained through LA21. The Government does not require authorities to submit their community strategies. However, there is a Best Value Performance Indicator which monitors authorities' timetable for preparing community strategies whilst checking that they adhere to the key aims and components set out in the guidance.

Game Birds

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the availability of Emtryl to the UK game bird rearers.

Elliot Morley: At the request of the holder of the marketing authorisations, the marketing authorisations for Emtryl premix for game birds, Emtryl pure for game birds and Emtryl soluble for game birds were suspended with effect from 22 October 2002. However, those products already supplied to the market may continue to be sold or administered to animals in accordance with the terms of the marketing authorisation until the expiry date of the product.

Haskins Review

Denzil Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the terms are of the recently announced inquiry to be headed by Lord Haskins relating to her Department.

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what are the objectives, terms of reference and timescale of Lord Haskin's review of her Department and its agencies.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Lord Haskin has agreed, at my request, to review delivery arrangements and structures to Defra's countryside responsibilities. Lord Haskins will consult widely with Defra stakeholders and those who deliver rural policy. We expect the review to be completed by the summer of 2003.

Agency Budgets

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the budget is for the (a) Countryside Agency, (b) Environment Agency, (c) Central Science Laboratory, (d) Veterinary Laboratories Agency, (e) Veterinary Medicines Directorate and (f) English Nature in 2002–03; and if she will make a statement on the future projections for the budget of each of these bodies.

Alun Michael: The requested budget figures are as follows:
	
		
			 #'000s 2002–03 Resource 2002–03 Capital 
		
		
			 Countryside Agency 92,050 1,000 
			 Environment Agency 168,000 17,000 
			 Central Science Laboratory* 38,509 1,425 
			 Veterinary Laboratories Agency* 75,460 28,219 
			 Veterinary Medicines Directorate* 10,529 285 
			 English Nature 58,506 3,325 
		
	
	The above amounts score within Departmental Expenditure Limits, and exclude overheads for central services provided by the core department. They are subject to in year review and adjustment.
	The three Executive Agencies (*) operate on a net administration costs basis, whereby gross costs are matched by income, and have full cost recovery targets. To make their budgets more meaningful the offsetting income has been excluded from the above table.
	The NDPBs—Countryside Agency, Environment Agency, and English Nature—resource and capital allocations for 2003–04 will be finalised shortly. Those for the executive agencies are still under review and will be confirmed as part of the Business Planning process.

Pigswill

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what proportion of responses received to the pigswill consultation were in favour of (a) tightening controls, (b) maintaining current levels of control and (c) relaxing controls;
	(2)  what steps her Department has taken to revise the published consultation response on the practice of using pigswill;
	(3)  how many responses she has received on the pigswill consultation from (a) operatives who provide a pigswill service and (b) owners of pig-rearing farms;
	(4)  what proportion of responses received to the pigswill consultation were in favour of (a) continuing current pigswill arrangements (b) altering current arrangements and regulations and (c) a ban on the use of pigswill.

Elliot Morley: The final number of responses received by the Government in reply to the public consultation letter of 27 March 2001 on the proposal to ban swill feeding reached 351. Of those a minority objected to the proposed ban. To review all those responses again for the details requested would involve my Department in disproportionate costs.
	A letter was sent on 9 May 2001 to all those that were consulted to advise on the decision that had been reached and to provide advice for producers who were feeding swill at that time. The advice was re-issued 2 days later to clarify certain paragraphs and to delete some of the advice on the disposal of unprocessed swill which was incorrect.

Milk

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1) , whether the subsidy from the European Union aims to provide free school milk for children aged up to (a) seven and (b) 11;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the European subsidy to provide milk for all school children up the the age of 11; and how many education authorities in the UK take advantage of the European Union subsidy to provide school milk.

Elliot Morley: The EU subsidy is intended to encourage the consumption of milk by children by reducing the cost of its provision in schools. In the UK it may be claimed by those education authorities which choose to provide children up to the age of 11 with milk. In the UK there were, in the 2000–01 school year, 208 such claimants.

Milk

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1) , what measures she has taken to encourage supermarket chains to increase the purchase of milk from dairy farmers;
	(2)  what recent discussions she has had with (a) dairy farmers and (b) representatives from supermarket chains regarding the price of milk;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on the decision by supermarket chains to increase the purchase price of milk from farmers by 2 pence a litre.

Elliot Morley: The prices charged by retailers, or those negotiated between farmers and purchasers, or between processors and retailers, are private commercial matters. Defra Ministers cannot and have not sought to get involved in price negotiations with farmers, retailers or processors, although the market situation in the diary sector is naturally an issue that does arise during discussions. Meetings of an informal dairy supply chain group, chaired by my noble friend Lord Whitty, have addressed the issue of supply volatility and its effect on farmgate milk prices and, at its last meeting in September, representatives from different parts of the supply chain reported their views on the recently announced price increases. The Governments welcomes any action that will assist the long term sustainability of the dairy sector.

Parrett Project

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, where the Chairman of the Parrett catchment project has visited overseas on official business in the last two years.

Elliot Morley: The Parrett Catchment Project is an independent body. I am advised that the Chairman visited the Ruhr Valley in Germany in October 2002 in order to attend the initial meeting of the International Steering Committee of the JAF Intereg 111b project.

Parrett Project

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, what theChairman of the Parrett catchment project has been paid in out-of-pocket expenses over the last two years.

Elliot Morley: The Parrett Catchment Project is an independent body. I am advised that up to July 2002, the Chairman has claimed second class train fares, mileage and subsistence. These claims were made at standard County Council rates up to June 2001, and thereafter at Environment Agency rates, for meetings attended on Parrett Catchment Project business. Claims for the period since July 2002 have not yet been made.

Heathrow

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects (a) the new DEFRA inspection team and (b) the sniffer dogs to be deployed at Heathrow.

Margaret Beckett: A new Local/Port Health Authority team to undertake additional checks for illegal imports, funded by Defra, is due to start work at Heathrow on 12 November. The detector dog pilot started at Heathrow on 16 September.

Rural Payments Agency

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many claims for payment under (a) the beef special premium scheme 2001 and (b) the suckler cow premium scheme 2001 have been refused by the Rural Payments Agency; if she will publish an analysis of the reasons for such refusals; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: (a) 3544 claims for payment under the beef special premium scheme 2001 have been refused entirely, 7203 claims for payment have been partly refused for payment under the beef special premium scheme 2001.
	(b) 851 claims for payment under the suckler cow premium scheme 2001 have been refused entirely, 7659 claims for payment have been partly refused for payment under the suckler cow premium scheme 2001.
	The above claims contain animals whose eligibility could not be established under the Commission Regulations, which govern the bovine schemes. The RPA regrets the delays and the impact on farmer's cash flow, but cannot ignore the discrepancies discovered through cross-checks, or indeed any other verification method employed by the Agency. Failure to act on the findings identified will result in significant disallowance.
	The Commission have indicated that all cross-checks should be carried out prior to payment as they view these checks as a key control to the fund. If RPA were found to be making unsafe payments it would inevitably face disallowance.
	When applicants disagree with the refusal decision it is open to them to provide the RPA with additional information, which they feel, should be taken into account.

Dairy Products

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimates she has made of consumption of (a) dairy products and (b) milk in each nation of the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Elliot Morley: The table shows consumption of selected dairy products in households as recorded by the National Food Survey between 1991 and 2000. It excludes food eaten outside the home and dairy produce used in processed food, e.g. pizzas.
	The National Food Survey collects details of food purchases from a sample of households. Some of the variation seen for individual years within the table will therefore be due to sampling error.
	
		UK household consumption of dairy products by country 1991–2000
		
			 Dairy products consumed in liquid form (a)Units: units as stated per person per week 
			  Units 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Drinking milk 
			  
			 England ml 1878 1969 1963 1967 1952 1870 1855 1829 1774 1825 
			 Wales ml 2171 2150 1968 2094 1967 1931 2078 1912 1834 1915 
			 Scotland ml 2029 2051 1877 1931 1918 1992 2001 1762 1806 1900 
			 Northern Ireland ml na na na na na 1948 2158 2119 2130 2113 
			 Other milks and dairy desserts 
			  
			 England ml 30 31 37 39 40 40 41 45 53 57 
			 Wales ml 17 28 35 28 24 37 50 47 28 73 
			 Scotland ml 37 35 32 28 23 20 32 28 51 51 
			 Northern Ireland ml na na na na na 34 41 52 47 61 
			 Cream 
			  
			 England ml 17 18 18 17 15 18 16 17 16 18 
			 Wales ml 16 14 19 15 9 19 13 17 14 12 
			 Scotland ml 18 20 17 13 10 14 15 17 15 15 
			 Northern Ireland ml na na na na na 11 8 9 9 8 
			 Cheese 
			  
			 England g 111 105 102 98 100 101 99 95 95 99 
			 Wales g 96 96 94 84 101 94 94 94 75 101 
			 Scotland g 87 97 86 84 84 91 90 90 97 89 
			 Northern Ireland g na na na na na 57 65 55 57 60 
			 Butter 
			  
			 England g 44 41 38 39 36 39 38 37 38 38 
			 Wales g 46 37 47 47 41 43 40 58 39 40 
			 Scotland g 41 45 51 39 41 41 37 37 31 44 
			 Northern Ireland g na na na na na 86 64 59 62 68 
			 Yoghurt and Fromage Frais 
			  
			 England ml 111 123 124 124 129 128 130 125 134 143 
			 Wales ml 83 101 108 92 115 123 112 142 93 133 
			 Scotland ml 110 118 100 105 115 127 124 119 119 123 
			 Northern Ireland ml na na na na na 117 109 105 108 120 
			 Condensed Milk 
			  
			 England ml 28 28 25 23 23 23 18 16 18 19 
			 Wales ml 51 19 28 20 23 15 23 29 9 37 
			 Scotland ml 17 20 14 15 21 14 9 10 15 12 
			 Northern Ireland ml na na na na na 5 2 3 1 5 
		
	
	Source:
	National Food Survey

Dairy Products

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many animals there were in each dairy herd in each nation of the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years.

Elliot Morley: DEFRA is able to provide data for England only. Figures for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved authorities.
	
		Number of Dairy Cattle in the National Herd—England 1991–2002
		
			  
		
		
			 1991 1937661 
			 1992 1872685 
			 1993 1862766 
			 1994 1898369 
			 1995 1810700 
			 1996 1784745 
			 1997 1701668 
			 1998 1659649 
			 1999 1660628 
			 2000 1575484 
			 2001 1490227 
			 2002 (provisional) 1465020 
		
	
	Note:
	1. A dairy cow is defined as a cow or heifer in the dairy herd that has calved.
	Source:
	June Agricultural and Horticultural Census

Dairy Products

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what milk yields were; what percentage milk represented of final agricultural product; and what average milk prices were, for each nation of the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Elliot Morley: The available data are shown in the following tables:
	
		Table 1. UK estimated average milk yield by country -- Units: litres per cow
		
			  1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 England & Wales 5264 5275 5292 5515 5652 5841 5887 6046 6114 6509 
			 Scotland 5068 5177 5264 5518 5739 5671 5669 5390 5565 6240 
			 Northern Ireland 4904 4958 5119 5346 5353 5503 5461 5650 5966 6273 
			 United Kingdom 5211 5235 5273 5497 5627 5788 5818 5942 6047 6453 
		
	
	Notes:
	Data are quoted in milk quota years which runs from April to March.
	Data for Wales are not available separately.
	Source:
	Defra
	
		Table 2. Milk as a percentage of UK agricultural production by country (a)
		
			  1992 % 1993 % 1994 % 1995 % 1996 % 1997 % 1998 % 1999 % 2000 % 2001(p) % 
		
		
			 England na na na 13 14 14 13 13 12 14 
			 Wales na na na 30 30 28 29 27 26 28 
			 Scotland na na na 13 14 14 13 13 12 14 
			 Northern Ireland na na na 28 28 28 29 30 30 33 
			 United Kingdom 21 23 23 20 19 19 18 18 18 21 
		
	
	Notes:
	(a) The value of milk production as a proportion of the value of final agricultural output (gross output less transactions within the agricultural industry)
	(p) provisional
	na not readily available
	Source:
	Defra
	
		Table 3. UK farm gate milk prices by country -- Units: p per litre
		
			  1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(p) 
		
		
			 Great Britain na na na 24.9 25.1 22.3 19.4 18.3 16.8 19.4 
			 Northern Ireland 19.2 21.5 21.2 25.4 24.0 20.6 19.3 18.5 18.0 18.5 
			 United Kingdom 21.0 22.0 22.4 24.9 25.0 22.1 19.4 18.4 16.9 19.3 
		
	
	Notes:
	Prices are quoted after deduction of marketing expenses (transport costs) but not superlevy, and includes bonuses.
	Data for England, Wales and Scotland are not available separately.
	(p) provisional
	na not available
	Source:
	DARD, NI; Defra

Dairy Products

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dairy farmers there were; and what the average dairy herd size was, in each nation of the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years.

Elliot Morley: DEFRA is able to provide data for England only. Figures for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved authorities.
	Number of farmers, partners, directors and spouses (if working on the holding) and average dairy herd size on holdings with any dairy cattle—England 1991–2001:
	
		
			 Year Farmers, Partners, Directors & Spouses on Holdings with Dairy any Cattle Average Size of Dairy Herd 
		
		
			 1991 52647 69 
			 1992 51312 69 
			 1993 50402 70 
			 1994 49592 73 
			 1995 47515 73 
			 1996 46150 75 
			 1997 44711 74 
			 1998 45165 74 
			 1999 43119 78 
			 2000 40796 79 
			 2001 38526 82 
		
	
	Number of Farmers, Partners, Directors and Spouses (if working on the holding) and average dairy herd size on holdings where the main activity is classified as dairy farming—England 1991–2001:
	
		
			 Year Farmers, Partners, Directors &  Spouses on Dairy Type Holdings Average Size of Dairy Herd 
		
		
			 1991 42013 72 
			 1992 40464 72 
			 1993 35665 75 
			 1994 39744 77 
			 1995 37844 76 
			 1996 36656 78 
			 1997 35334 77 
			 1998 34604 78 
			 1999 33373 83 
			 2000 31316 86 
			 2001 29732 90 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Refers to main holdings only.
	2. A dairy cow is defined as a cow or heifer in the dairy herd that has calved.
	Source:
	June Agricultural and Horticultural Census
	These are consolidated figures for the United Kingdom. The figures for Great Britain were derived from the computer system used to issue export health certificates. The figures for Northern Ireland were derived from the system which records movements of animals between Member States. All figures are subject to updating and amendment.

Packaging

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the Government will introduce legislation to compel the use of biodegradeable materials for packaging of goods.

Margaret Beckett: Some retailers are using a substitute for plastics in some types of packaging made from potato starch. This material is entirely biodegradeable and can be composted. Other biodegradeable materials are manufactured based on modified plastics made from mineral oil. These materials still have to be sent for recycling after use. We do not therefore plan to introduce legislation to compel the use of biodegradeable materials for packaging of goods, but we do strongly support the development of biodegradeable materials from non-fossil sources.

Animal Diseases

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason the United Kingdom made no application to the EU for a share of its 2003 funding programme to control animal diseases and zoonoses.

Margaret Beckett: The UK has applied for and obtained EU funding in support of agreed control programmes for 2002 and previous years. In respect of the 2003 claims, claims for TB and Brucella were not received by the Commission until after the 1 June 2002 deadline. We are in discussion with the Commission in an attempt to correct the position.

Flood Defences

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on completing the Shrewsbury flood defence scheme.

Elliot Morley: Defra approved the grant aiding of the Environment Agency's flood alleviation scheme for the Frankwell area of Shrewsbury in October 2001. I understand that work is expected to be substantially complete by June 2003 although, weather permitting, the defence should be operational before the end of November 2002.
	The Agency is continuing to consider the viability of sustainable defence measures for other areas of Shrewsbury, although in the current situation I understand that there is little likelihood that a further scheme could be justified.

Cod

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answer to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute at European Standing Committee A on 23 April 2002 column 7, what steps she is taking to persuade the European Commission that banning trawling for nephrops will have a very small impact on cod recovery.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 5 November 2002
	The European Commission has yet to bring forward its proposals for the management of commercial fish stocks in 2003, following the recent recommendations from international scientists for a moratorium on most directed cod fishing and also on fishing for other species unless the taking of cod as a bycatch can be eliminated. We are working closely with the fishing industry to devise a package of measures which we can advocate in the EU and which will respect the scientific assessment whilst as far as possible keeping fishing opportunities open for the industry. We have already reminded the Commission of our view—substantiated last year by detailed scientific analysis—that curbing nephrops fishing brings minimal benefit to cod.

Cod

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute at European Standing Committee A on 23 April, 2002 Official Report, column 7, if she will place in the Library (a) her Department's evidence to the European Commission which demonstrated that the level of cod by-catch in the nephrops fishery was very small and that the Commission's figures were an overestimate and (b) the European Commission's response; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Fisheries Departments in the UK submitted material to the European Commission on several occasions in 2001, refuting in detail the Commission's argument that cutting nephrops fishing significantly benefits cod stocks. The specifics of this correspondence are confidential, but the basis of the case was figures demonstrating that landings of cod did not increase in line with landings of nephrops. This material was submitted in support of the UK's request for in-year restoration of the cuts that were made to the Total Allowable Catches for nephrops in the North Sea, in the Irish Sea and West of Scotland in 2001: in response, the Commission did not agree to restore the cuts, but did subsequently largely withdraw its proposals for further substantial cuts for 2002. Restoration of the cuts made in 2001 is an issue we are still actively pressing with the Commission.

Cod

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what estimate her Department has made of the weight and value of cod discarded in each of the fish management areas in the seas around the UK as a result of an unintentional by-catch of over quota cod in each year since 1997 and the latest available estimate for 2002;
	(2)  if her Department has estimated the total weight and potential value of fish discarded by UK fishing vessels as a result of the unintentional by-catch of over quota fish.

Elliot Morley: Estimates of discards are obtained by placing observers on a random sample of fishing vessels. Observers are not in a position to establish fully the reasons why fish are discarded, but the main reasons appear to be that fish are undersized, not of sufficient quality, or damaged. We are not able at this time to provide estimates for discards of all species in all sea areas. Estimates of the weight of cod discards (in tonnes, gutted) by (a) English and Welsh vessels in the North Sea and Irish Sea and (b) UK vessels landing into Scotland, are set out below.
	
		(a) English & Welsh Vessels
		
			  North Sea  Irish Sea 
			 Year < Legal Size > Legal Size Year < Legal Size > Legal Size 
		
		
			 1997 2191 636 1997 nd nd 
			 1998 2232 668 1998 nd nd 
			 1999 772 274 1999 nd nd 
			 2000 444 52 2000 17 3 
			 2001 453 60 2001 4 2 
			 2002* 80 11 2002 <1 0 
		
	
	Notes:
	* January to June
	nd = no data
	
		(b) UK vessels landing into Scotland
		
			 Year North Sea (IV) 
			  < Legal Limit > Legal Limit Total 
		
		
			 1997 4412.2 1659.9 6072.1 
			 1998 6669.1 2122.9 8792.0 
			 1999 2135.2 420.9 2556.1 
			 2000 3077.0 462.1 3539.1 
			 2001 3195.0 600.0 3795.0 
			 2002* 1155.4 50.1 1205.5 
		
	
	
		
			 Year West Coast (Via) 
			  < Legal Limit > Legal Limit Total 
		
		
			 1997 163.6 26.8 190.4 
			 1998 181.0 66.0 247.0 
			 1999 52.8 0.3 53.1 
			 2000 335.5 14.3 349.8 
			 2001 79.6 39.0 118.6 
			 2002* 33.5 15.2 48.7

Foot and Mouth

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much in outstanding claims against her Department is owed in respect of clean-up operations on farms affected by foot and mouth disease.

Margaret Beckett: It is not possible at this time to reveal details of these claims for reasons of commercial confidentiality and legal privilege. Defra is pursuing the recommendation in the NAO report on the 2001 Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease concerned with the urgent pursuit of those cases where my Department believed it was overcharged for goods and services. Irregularities in contractors' claims are being investigated and resolved as quickly as possible. We have an obligation to ensure proper accounting methods are applied to valid invoices submitted. We have no intention of simply paying Invoices and claims that cannot be properly accounted for.

Microlisation

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what plans she has to provide match funding for microlisation; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps she has taken to increase the money for modulation to UK farms from the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The UK is obliged under Community law to match-fund, pound for pound, money raised through modulating Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) production subsidies. Under current plans, the rate of modulation will rise from the present 3 per cent. to 4.5 per cent. by 2006.
	The spending plans for 2003–04 to 2005–06, set out in the 2002 Spending Review White Paper ''Opportunity and Security for All'' (Command Paper 5570) presented to the House on 15 July by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, include provision for match funding of #75m in 2005–06. This would be necessary if the rate of modulation were to be increased to 10 per cent. from 2005–06, as recommended by the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food. However, a decision on increasing national modulation has yet to be taken. The final decision will depend on factors including the success of a pilot to test the Policy Commission's recommendation for an entry-level agri-environment scheme, and the outcome of negotiations on the Mid-Term review of the CAP.

Fly Tipping and Landfill

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with farmers about fly tipping and landfill taxes; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Defra Ministers hold many meetings with farming organisations to discuss all manner of topics. However, there have been no recent meetings to discuss fly tipping specifically. The Government is, however, keen to find out more about the causes of fly tipping and has commissioned research into fly tipping on agricultural land.
	Fly tipped waste is a blight on our countryside and towns. There are stringent controls in place to ensure that waste is dealt with properly. Where waste is disposed of illegally, it is clearly essential that steps are taken to dispose of the waste safely and properly to eliminate the risk of environmental pollution or harm to human health. The Environment Agency and local authorities, in their role as waste collection authority, may themselves take steps to remove fly tipped waste. DEFRA works closely with the fly tipping stakeholders forum to develop practical ways to combat the problem.
	A Tidy Britain Group Report Effects of the Landfill Tax on Fly Tipping (published in 1998) did not establish any clear link between the tax and increased fly tipping. Indeed, the Report states that in 1997–98, domestic waste was, overall, the type of fly tipped waste most frequently collected by local authorities. As the tax does not directly affect householders it is unlikely to cause householders to fly tip waste. Moreover, each Waste Disposal Authority has a duty under section 51 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to provide civic amenity sites for the deposit of household waste.

TB Testing

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to increase the rate of TB testing in Gloucestershire; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Since an additional #3 million was made available to the State Veterinary Service earlier this year, veterinary, technical and administrative staff have been recruited to bring the administrative and veterinary teams dealing with TB in the Gloucester Animal Health Divisional Office up to full strength. Twenty temporary and casual staff have been recruited specifically for TB testing in addition to the normal complement of veterinary officers. This is starting to have a significant impact across the range of critical TB areas.
	In early October Defra announced additional measures for the control of bovine TB in England, which included a timetable for the imposition of movement restrictions on herds with overdue tests. Within the Gloucester region the backlog of overdue tests is being actively managed to ensure that the number of herds put under restriction early next year as a result of the new measure is kept to a minimum. A dedicated team of six administrative staff has been set up to support the process. Letters will be sent out shortly to those farmers potentially affected encouraging them to arrange early TB tests. Defra is also maintaining close liaison with the NFU at county level.

20-Day Standstill Rule

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to review the 20 day standstill rule; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 4 November 2002
	This will depend on the outcome of the detailed risk assessment and cost benefit analysis which is being carried out in line with the FMD Inquiry recommendations. We hope to be able to take account of emerging findings to make decisions about any changes to the current rules in time for the Spring 2003 movement season.

GM Seeds

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which GM crop varieties started national seed listing trials in September 2002; if she will give their (a) locations and (b) dates of planting; and if each trial is (i) a distinctiveness, uniformity and stability and (ii) a value for cultivation and use trial.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 6 November 2002
	No new GM candidate varieties started National List tests and trials in September 2002. Three Winter Oilseed Rape varieties, PHW99–429, PHW01–441, PHW02–450, were already in test and trial and these were sown again in September 2002. Of these, PHW99–429 has already completed Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability testing and was sown in Value for Cultivation and Use trials only. The site locations and dates of sowing are as follows:
	
		
			 Type of Test or Trial Location Date of Sowing 
		
		
			 Distinctness Uniformity and Stability Sand Hutton, Yorkshire 6 September 2002 
			 Value for Thorganby, Lincolnshire 6 September 2002 
			 Cultivation Meden Vale, Nottinghamshire 12 September 2002. 
			 and Use Felton, Herefordshire 12 September 2002 
			  Melbourn, Cambridgeshire 10 September 2002 
			  Piccotts End, Hertfordshire 16 September 2002 
			  Shellingford, Oxfordshire 13 September 2002 
			  Bramham, Yorkshire 4 September 2002 
			  Banham, Norfolk 5 September 2002 
			  Udny, Aberdeenshire 11 September 2002

Climate Change

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many climate change levy underlying agreements within the meaning of paragraph 48 of Schedule 6 to the Finance Act 2000 she has (a) entered into and (b) varied or; if she will give the name of the other party or parties to each such agreement or variation; if she will indicate, in relation to each such agreement, the umbrella agreement within the meaning of the same paragraph to which it relates; and if she will place in the Library copies of all such agreements and variations.

Michael Meacher: The Secretary of State currently is party to 5,460 underlying agreements within the meaning of paragraph 48 of Schedule 6 to the Finance Act 2000. The original umbrella agreements are placed in the Library and on the Defra website. The names of the operators of facilities currently covered by the underlying agreements are published, sector by sector, in Reduced Rate Certificates on HM Customs and Excise website. The underlying agreements contain commercially sensitive material in the form of energy efficiency targets and consequently cannot be published, though the standard template is also available on the Defra website. Variations to these agreements to date cover only new entrants to the agreements, withdrawals from them and changes of contact details. It would involve excessive costs to publish the variations involving these changes to company details. We have been in discussions with sector associations regarding variations to the agreements to provide for corrections to targets resulting from corrections to baseline data. The proportional improvements in energy efficiency required has been maintained. Any further variations to the provisions of the agreements will be placed in the Library under the same terms as the original agreements were placed.

Climate Change

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many climate change agreements within the meaning of paragraph 47 of Schedule 6 to the Finance Act 2000 and variations, she has entered into and what the name is of the other party or parties to each such agreement or variation; if she will make a statement in relation to each such agreement on the description of energy-intensive installations within paragraph 51 of Schedule 6 to the Finance Act 2000 to which it relates; and if she will place in the Library copies of all such agreements and variations.

Michael Meacher: There is one climate change agreement under paragraph 47 of Schedule 2 to the Finance Act 2000, which provided for the unique case where there was only one company operating a specific eligible IPPC process. The agreement under this paragraph therefore combines the provisions of the umbrella and underlying agreements within the meaning of paragraph 48. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House and on the DEFRA website. The agreement contains the names of the relevant parties and a description of the type of the installation covered by the agreement. There have been no variations to this agreement.

Climate Change

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the outcome of the Climate Change Conference in New Delhi; and if she will place in the Library copies of (a) the United Kingdom submissions, (b) other nations' submissions relevant to UK policy and (c) the text of the final communiqué.

Michael Meacher: There were two main outcomes from the Eighth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in New Delhi, India from 23 October to 1 November 2002.
	The first was that good progress was made on several technical issues which are key to building the architecture for effective implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.
	The first report of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board, established at COP7 in Marrakech, was approved. This will allow for the prompt start of the CDM and projects should start to come through the system next year. This should result in investment benefits for developing countries and help developed countries meet their Kyoto commitments. Work on how to include afforestation and reforestation projects under the CDM continued and is on track for agreement on schedule at COP10.
	The final element of the guidelines on the reporting and review of accounting for total emissions under Marrakech Accords (the rules implementing Kyoto) was agreed. Regular reporting and review is essential, for transparency in the system and to ensure that parties are keeping to detailed trading rules.
	There were also productive discussions on legal and institutional matters, in particular on how the first meeting of the Kyoto Protocol governing body should be convened in conjunction with the Convention governing body.
	Guidance was also agreed on how developing countries should report information to the COP in their national communications. This is essential for assessing the size of the global problem and as a basis for informing decisions on future action. Guidance was also agreed for the new funds agreed in Bonn and Marrakech last year.
	The second outcome was the Delhi Declaration on climate change and sustainable development. Negotiations on the text were dominated by the developing country concerns of vulnerability to climate change and the fneed for countries to adapt to it effects, and by their reluctance to initiate a process for considering what more needs to be done by the international community until greater progress has been made in implementing existing commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. The final text was therefore less forward-looking than we and our EU partners would have liked. Nevertheless, the Declaration makes important points about setting climate change in the context of sustainable development and puts a welcome focus on the needs of developing countries in trying to adapt to climate change.
	There were no UK submissions on issues discussed in New Delhi because the EU negotiates as a block in the UNFCCC. Denmark, which currently holds the Presidency, made submissions on behalf of all Member States. I have today placed copies of all EU submissions relevant to UK policy in the library, along with those from other Parties to the UNFCCC on the same subjects, and a copy of the final text of the Delhi Declaration. When they are available, I will also place copies of the formal EU statements made during the conference in the Library.

Waste Tyres

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her estimate is of the stock pile of waste tyres in England in each of the last five years.

Michael Meacher: These data are not collected centrally in the format requested. However, the Environment Agency estimate that about 13 million tyres are currently stockpiled in 38 sites in England. The majority of the tyres are held within 8 sites, including one which holds about 9 million of the tyres. This site is covered to provide protection.

Waste Tyres

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what research she is undertaking into the environmentally safe disposal of waste tyres;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of civil engineering uses for the environmentally safe use of waste tyres;
	(3)  what policies she intends to adopt to (a) utilise and (b) dispose of waste tyres.

Michael Meacher: The Government in partnership with the tyre industry through the Used Tyre Working Group (UTWG) is investigating alternative disposal, recycling and recovery options for those tyres displaced from landfill with the aim of ensuring that sufficient capacity is available to handle those tyres.
	The prospect of the extra required tyre recovery capacity being developed in time for the 2006 ban appears encouraging. It is likely that cement kilns (who use tyres as fuel) will take very significant numbers of tyres provided they obtain the necessary authorisations (four kilns already use tyres).
	In addition, the market for tyre granulate is growing. Tyre granulate has a number of applications including carpet underlay and sports and safety surfaces. Government is supporting a number of end-use studies including its incorporation in road surfaces and as an aggregate replacement in concrete. Other studies are looking at new processes to break down used tyres as well as looking at ways of improving the efficiency of present materials recycling operations. Government is also supporting research into the use of tyres in coastal and flood protection schemes.
	There is also research underway, funded through the Landfill Tax Credits Scheme in collaboration with the Transport Research Laboratory and the Institute of Civil Engineers, to produce guidance on civil engineering applications for used tyres to stimulate market development. Whole tyres are already used extensively as an engineering material in landfill sites.
	More widely, research is underway on creating longer-lasting tyres (without compromising safety) in order to help reduce the amount of tyres entering the waste stream in the first place.

Organic Cattle

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a grant to Mr. Richard Smith of Sharpham, Totnes, Devon, to make good the failure of the Beef Assurance Scheme in relation to his cows and followers; and if she will make a statement as to the practices undertaken by her Department to help farmers rearing organic cattle.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 5 November 2002
	No grants are available for Beef Assurance Scheme members who are having difficulties finding local abattoirs willing to slaughter cattle aged 30–42 months because of EU requirements on testing and the removal of vertebral column. However, the Food Standards Agency will seek to put members in touch with abattoirs which will slaughter such cattle.
	The Department seeks to promote all aspects of organic farming in line with the Organic Action Plan published on 29 July. Free advice is available to all farmers contemplating organic farming through the Organic Conversion Information Service. Aid for organic conversion, delivered through the England Rural Development Programme, amounts to some #140 million. The Department also funds organic R&D, including projects on both organic dairy and beef cattle husbandry and it is providing a series of meetings to help organic cattle farmers maintain high standards of health and welfare in their herds.

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what public consultations have been commenced by her Department in each month since 20 July; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Alun Michael: Information on public consultation processes undertaken by Defra is held in the public domain and can be obtained from the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk. in the section titled ''Consultation Exercises''.
	Details as to the issue date and deadlines for comments are available and contact details regarding each consultation are provided. Responses to public consultations where the respondents have not asked for anonymity are also listed on this website page.

Welbeck Tip

David Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects to be able to answer the letters sent to the Environment Minister on 5 October 2001 and 20 February 2002 by the hon. Member for Wakefield regarding the Welbeck Tip.

Michael Meacher: I regret that the Department can find no trace of my hon. Friend's correspondence.

Chemicals

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what agreements were reached at the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg relating to chemicals.

Michael Meacher: The main points agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in relation to chemicals are contained in paragraph 22 of the Plan of Implementation.
	These include an overarching target of ''aiming to achieve by 2020 that chemicals are produced and used in ways that lead to the minimisation of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment''. This would include actions at all levels to:
	(a) Promote the ratification and implementation of relevant international instruments on chemicals and hazardous wastes.
	(b) Encourage countries to implement the new globally harmonised system for the classification and labelling of chemicals
	(c) Encourage partnerships to promote activities aimed at enhancing environmentally sound management of chemicals and hazardous wastes
	(d) Promote efforts to prevent international illegal trafficking of hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes
	(e) Encourage development of coherent and integrated information on chemicals
	(f) Promote reduction of the risks posed by heavy metals that are harmful to human health and the environment
	A copy of the Plan of Implementation is in the House Library and can be found at http://www/johannesburgsummit.org/, along with a copy of the Political Declaration made at Johannesburg.

Plastic Waste

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her latest estimate is of the value of non-recyclable plastic waste used for (a) landfill and (b) incineration for each London borough.

Michael Meacher: This information is not available.

Animal Movements

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what changes have been made in the 20 day rule on animal movements since its introduction; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: A number of changes to the 20 day whole farm standstill rule have been made over recent months, following detailed discussions with industry and veterinary organisations. These include exemptions, subject to risk mitigating conditions, for breeding animals, calves, tack sheep and all movements direct to slaughter. Most recently, an exemption from the whole farm standstill was introduced on 6 September 2002 for cattle and sheep moved for breeding purposes, if they remain in approved isolation facilities for 20 days.

Animal Movements

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an amendment to the 20 day standstill rule in the event of livestock being brought to feed for a period ranging from three to 12 months where the bid price is not reached to enable the producer to take livestock home and to prevent cattle and sheep from being slaughtered.

Elliot Morley: The mixing of animals at auction markets and their subsequent dispersal poses a particular disease risk so it is unlikely that any special exemptions to the 20 day rule will be introduced to cover these particular circumstances.
	More generally, future animal movement controls will reflect the outcome of the detailed risk assessment and cost benefit analysis which is being carried out in line with the FMD Inquiry recommendations. We hope to be able to take account of emerging findings when we make decisions about any changes to the current rules in time for the 2003 Spring movement season.

Horticulture Research International

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding has been allocated to Horticulture Research International in each of the last 10 years.

Elliot Morley: Defra funding at Horticulture Research International (HRI) relates to specifically commissioned R & D projects and work won by HRI in the main through R & D competitions. We have also provided funding for capital and other purposes. A summary of the funding provided by Defra (and, prior to 2001–02, MAFF) in each of the last ten years is given in the table below.
	
		Table showing Defra funding of Horticulture Research International over the period 1992–2002
		
			 Year R&D payments(12) CMF(13) Restructuring and pensions Capital & other payments Total (#m) 
		
		
			 1992–1993 13.5 – – 7.3 20.8 
			 1993–1994 13.7 – – 11.3 25.0 
			 1994–1995 13.9 – 0.1 7.3 21.3 
			 1995–1996 13.3 – 0.4 9.5 23.2 
			 1996–1997 12.7 – 1.0 4.6 18.3 
			 1997–1998 12.3 – – 1.7 14.0 
			 1998–1999 12.3 – 5.9 0.4 18.6 
			 1999–2000 11.4 – – 0.4 11.8 
			 2000–2001 10.4 0.3 4.2 1.0 15.9 
			 2001–2002 10.4 1.5 1.6 0.2 13.7 
		
	
	Notes:
	(12) Figures given on an acruals basis as shown in HRI's accounts
	(13) Funds from HMT's Capital Modernisation Fund

GM Crops

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which of the GM farm scale trials of maize, oil seed rape and beet planted between Autumn 2001 and Spring 2002 (a) ran until harvest and (b) were terminated; and what the reasons for termination were in each case.

Michael Meacher: In Autumn 2001 a total of 30 winter oil seed rape crops were sown. One field was subsequently terminated following the advice of the scientific steering committee at their meeting of May 20 2002 (minutes at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/fse) as a result of the crop failing to establish; apparently due to the weather. The remainder ran until harvest.
	In Spring 2002 the following number of FSE crop fields were planted: 25 spring oil seed rape; 16 beet and 33 maize. Two maize fields were terminated prior to harvest following extensive damage by protestors that rendered any further studies on the site impossible. No spring oil seed rape or beet crops were terminated.

GM Crops

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will place the tender documents for the biodiversity monitoring on the farm scale evaluations on sugar beet and fodder beet, the contracts for that work and related correspondence in the Library; if she will list the sites in England and Wales where releases of GM oilseed rape were made in 2000 and 2001 under the consent 98/R19/18; and if she will list the genetic transformation events in Aventis' spring oilseed rape released under the consent 00/R33/9 and other experimental release consents granted for this transformation under the GMO Deliberate Regulations.

Michael Meacher: I refer my hon. Friend the Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham and Deptford (Joan Ruddock), Official Report, 6 April 2001, column 321W, which announced that a copy of each of the four farm-scale evaluation contracts, which include the invitations to tender, the tenders themselves, the project specification and the covering letter, have been placed in the Library.
	In 2001, there were no releases in England or Wales under consent 98/R19/18. In 2000, there were no releases in Wales under consent 98/R19/18. In England, the locations of releases under this consent are summarised below.
	
		
			 Nearest Village County 
		
		
			 Little Shelford Cambridgeshire 
			 St Osyth, Seawick Essex 
			 Kempley Gloucestershire 
			 Chipping Campden Gloucestershire 
			 Itchen Abbas Hampshire 
			 Piccots End Hertfordshire 
			 Boothby Graffoe Lincolnshire 
			 North Kelsey Lincolnshire 
			 Horningtoft Norfolk 
			 Meden Vale Nottinghamshire 
			 Appleton Oxfordshire 
			 Alderminster Warwickshire 
			 Upper Tysoe Warwickshire 
			 Priors Hardwick Warwickshire 
			 Laverton Worcestershire 
			 East Newton North Yorkshire 
			 Hutton Magna North Yorkshire 
		
	
	The transformation events in oilseed rape covered by consent 00/R33/9 are Ms8 and Rf3. Since 2000 releases of oilseed rape containing these events have also been carried out under consents 00/R33/5, 00/R33/6, 00/R33/7, 00/R33/10, 00/R33/11 and 98/R19/18 in England and 00/R33/5S, 00/R33/6S, 00/R33/7S, 00/R33/10S, 00/R33/11S and 98/R19/18 in Scotland.

Farm Incomes

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, what the average farm incomes, by sector, were for each year since 1992 for farms within Shrewsbury and Atcham.

Elliot Morley: It is not possible to provide data relating to the Shrewsbury and Atcham area. This is because the sample size of the Farm Business Survey (the basis of the income data) is too small to enable robust regional analysis to this level of disaggregation. The closest region available is England West.
	The table below shows average net farm income by the main types of farm for England West for each year from 1992–3 to 2000–1. The data for each year provide the best estimate of income levels in each year in isolation but they should not be viewed as a time series. Each year is not directly comparable due to changes in the underlying sample that occur each year in the Farm Business Survey (the basis for the income data).
	Average net farm income by farm type for the West of England:
	
		
			 Net Farm Income (#/farm) 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 
		
		
			 Dairy 24,939 33,228 29,295 34,927 28,485 19,306 12,475 8,847 11,887 
			 LFA Cattle & Sheep 8,919 10,501 7,533 13,113 11,646 5,193 2,101 2,572 3,008 
			 Lowland Cattle & Sheep 8,392 7,709 8,115 9,910 6,098 -1,426 527 923 -3,008 
			 Cereals 20,052 20,401 25,538 46,126 35,014 14,570 4,059 4,331 2,529 
			 General Cropping 22,726 23,918 51,377 48,561 24,083 16,752 40,726 5,606 10,239 
			 Pigs & Poultry 24,929 16,713 22,446 39,000 43,316 16,406 5,979 17,817 33,930 
			 Mixed 18,720 20,400 30,580 40,357 31,594 6,799 3,115 8,642 6,085 
			 Horticulture 10,611 14,860 24,397 19,770 20,404 20,283 29,182 19,889 15,212 
			 All Types 19,572 20,715 23,451 29,777 22,574 11,280 8,926 5,628 6,112 
		
	
	Source:
	Net farm income is defined as the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their labour and on the tenant-type capital of the business.

Agricultural Wages Board

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Answer of 21st October (75916) what relevant qualifications Professor Ian Smith and Mrs Jacquie Findlay had for nomination as an independent member of the Agricultural Wages Board.

Alun Michael: Independent members of the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales are not required to hold any specific qualifications. However when new members are appointed we do try to ensure that collectively, the independent members have experience of as many areas of expertise relevant to the Board's work as possible. These include EU and UK employment legislation, EU and UK social policy, arbitration and conciliation, human resource management, tribunal work, accountancy and economic issues. Jacquie Findlay has relevant experience in the human resource field and has advised on employment law matters. Ian Smith is a Professor of employment law at Anglia University.
	To ensure their impartiality, independent members must have no direct connection with the agricultural industry or any connection with organisations representing employers of agricultural labour or representing the interests of agricultural workers. This excludes from consideration any member of the National Farmers' Union or the Transport and General Workers Union, the organisations that nominate the representative members of the Wages Board.

Earth Summit

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to circulate Local Agenda 21 groups on the Government's evaluation of the Earth Summit held in Johannesburg.

Michael Meacher: The Secretary of State has already held initial discussions with local government about the outcomes of WSSD. I will be discussing the way forward with stakeholders.

Aflatoxin Infections

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many incidents there have been of aflatoxin infections in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	Data from the national poisons information service reveals that they have received two enquiries over the last five years relating to aflatoxin poisoning. In neither case were there any signs or symptoms observed. Both occurred in 1997.

Capital Grants

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated total cost is of delivering a 10 year 70,000 solar PV roof programme, funded by 50 per cent capital grants; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government Industry Photovoltaic Group Report of March 2001 recommended ''The most effective means of encouraging the deployment of PV in the UK would be a major Market Stimulation Programme featuring a 50 per cent capital grant for 70,000 domestic roofs and a similar grant scheme for larger non—domestic buildings costing around #150 million over 10 years.'' Taken together this is equivalent to a 100,000 PV roofs programme.

Income

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, what changes have taken place in the (a) gross and (b) net incomes of the (i) top and (ii) bottom deciles of farmers in each year since 1990.

Elliot Morley: The information for the years 1996–97 to 2000–01 are given in the table.
	
		Ranges of farm incomes for full-time farms in England -- (# per farm)
		
			  Cash income Net Farm Income 
			  First decile (10th percentile) Ninth decile (90th percentile) First decile (10th percentile) Ninth decile (90th percentile) 
		
		
			 1996–97 6,200 118,100 -3,400 72,000 
			 1997–98 100 94,200 -12,000 41,300 
			 1998–99 -400 83,500 -14,900 38,100 
			 1999–00 0 73,800 -14,800 33,600 
			 2000–01 -1,400 77,500 -14,800 35,500 
		
	
	Source:
	Farm Business Survey
	I regret that the information given in a previous answer to my hon. Friend, Official Report, 22 January, column 779W, was incorrect. The figures had been mistakenly calculated for England and Wales, not for England. The information in this table corrects those figures.
	Data for the six years 1990–1995 could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

Non-devolved Posts

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many non-devolved posts were advertised in the Press in each year from June 1999; and what percentage of them were advertised in the Scottish Press.

Alun Michael: This information is being collated and I will write to the hon. Member.

Energy Conservation

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with energy conservation authorities regarding her policy on home energy conservation.

Elliot Morley: Neither the Secretary of State nor any of Defra Ministers have had any discussions with energy conservation authorities regarding home energy conservation.

Energy Efficiency

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  pursuant to the Answer of 15 October, Official Report, columns 581–2W, on energy efficiency, to the hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed), if the legal advice obtained by the promoters of the Home Energy Conservation Bill regarding the legal force of a principal aim compared with a statutory duty was made available to her; what steps she took to determine the validity of the promoters' advice; and what her conclusions were about the validity of the advice;
	(2)  pursuant to her answer of 15 October, Official Report, columns 581–2W, to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire, on energy efficiency, what advice was received about the duties that having a 30 per cent. improvement as a principal aim would place on local authorities;
	(3)  pursuant to her answer of 15 October, Official Report, columns 581–2W, to the hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire, whether the advice that she received on the implications of having a 30 per cent. improvement in domestic energy efficiency as a principal aim of the Home Energy Conservation Bill suggested that progress towards such a principal aim could legally be made by (a) new regulation and (b) energy efficiency programmes funded by bodies other than the Government.

Michael Meacher: The Government have seen the legal advice obtained by the promoters of this Bill. We sought our own advice on it, which did not reach the same conclusions. The Government does not comment on the details of its internal advice, but I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed) on 15th October, Official Report, columns 581–2W, which sets out some of the issues which the Government considered.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Contaminated Land

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the amount of contaminated land that has been restored for beneficial use on an annual basis was, broken down by local authority area, in England and Wales since January 1997.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	This information is not held centrally in the form requested, because ''beneficial use'' is not a criterion in the main regime which helps to secure the remediation of land affected by contamination. From April 2000, Part IIA (''contaminated land'') of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 placed local authorities in England under a duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land, as defined in the Act, and secure its remediation on the ''suitable for use'' principle. Some 40 sites have so far been formally identified under this regime, and remediation is underway in some of these cases. The main aim of this regime is environmental protection, rather than future land use, and contaminated sites may well be in beneficial use already.
	The majority of remediation, however, takes place as part and parcel of the development of land, regulated through the planning system and building regulations; through urban regeneration programmes including the activities of regional development agencies and English Partnerships; through voluntary action by landowners including many major companies; through enforcement of environmental protection regimes; and through the programme of supplementary credit approvals for local authorities operated by my department. An overview is provided by a recent Environment Agency report, ''Dealing with contaminated land in England'', copies of which have been placed in the Library.

Census

Bob Laxton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the population was of each local authority in England based on the 2001 census; what the change was in the population of each authority since the mid year 2000 estimate; and what the change was as a percentage in each case.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The Information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter to Mr. Bob Laxton from Mr. Len Cook dated 7 November 2002
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking for details of the population of each local authority based on the 2001 Census; what the change was for each authority since the mid year 2000 estimate; and what the change was as a percentage in each case.(79865)
	I am placing in the House of Commons Library, a table which supplies the information you have requested. It is also available on the National Statistics website at www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/downloads/Comparison—ONC2001—MYE2000.xls. The current estimates for the years 1982–2000 are based on the 1981 Census figures, rolled forward, and will be shortly revised to take account of the results of the 2001 Census and an assessment of the cumulative errors that have built up in the mid-year estimates. Final revised mid-year estimates for 1991–2000 will be released on 13 February 2003 and those for 1982–1990 at a later date.
	In order to assist users in interpreting changes over time, ONS have issued a set of interim revised national estimates for the period 1982–2000. At the national level, for example, the previous mid-year estimate for population of England and Wales for 2000, of 52,943 thousand has now been accordingly revised to 51,913 thousand.

Littering Offences

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many fixed penalty notices were issued in England and Wales broken down by local authority area since 1997.

Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
	The total amount of fines issued with respect to Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for littering offences in England and Wales since 1997 was:
	No data in 1996–97
	727 in 1997–98
	4,778 in 1998–99
	2,970 in 1999–2000
	2,310 in 2000–01
	The Department is unable to break down this data into Local Authority region.

Advantage West Midlands

John Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if she will list the members of Advantage West Midlands; from what areas they are drawn; what their function is; how they were chosen; how they can be dismissed; what they will cost in 2002–03; and from what vote they are paid.

Alan Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Board members of Advantage West Midlands are;
	Chairman Alex Stephenson, Deputy Chair Cllr Sue Davies, Richard Barnes,
	Prof Kumar Bhattacharyya, Cllr Sir Albert Bore, Dr. Anthony Harris,
	Dr. Christine King, Brian Woods-Scawen, Cllr David Sparkes,
	Sukhvinder Kaur Stubbs, Norman Price, Isabella Moore,
	Cllr Paul Tilsley, Tony Sealey, Bill Holmes.
	Board Members are drawn from Business, Local Authorities, Higher Education, the Voluntary Sector, Employees Representation Groups and Rural Interests.
	The function of Board Members is;
	To direct and hold the executive team accountable for results
	To reflect regional interests
	To oversee and approve the production and review of the Regional Economic Strategy and corporate plan for presentation to Ministers
	To chair and facilitate meetings
	To represent Advantage West Midlands externally.

EU Equal Treatment Directive

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he intends to publish draft regulations and draft consolidated legislation on the age strand of the consultation Equality and Diversity: The Way Ahead with a view to implementing the EU Equal Treatment Directive; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	Unfortunately I have not been able to glean the information necessary to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.
	The process for appointing the Board Members is run according to the Code of Practice issued by the Office for the Commissioner of Public Appointments (OCPA).
	Appointments are made on merit, following open competition, application and formal interviews. Each applicant is assessed against the selection criteria, as set out in the person specification for the post.
	A Board Member can be dismissed by the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry if he or she is in breach of conditions in Schedule 2 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998.
	Current pay rates per annum are, Chair #47,800, Deputy Chair #15,208 and Board Members #7,604. All Members are eligible to claim Travel & Subsistence.
	Board Members are paid from the DTI vote approved by Parliament, via the RDA single programme, which is administered by DTI.

Mayoral Elections

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent by (a) his Department, (b) local councils and (c) other bodies on mayoral elections and referenda since January 2001.

Nick Raynsford: Departmental costs on mayoral elections and referendums are not separately identified from costs related to work on new council constitutions generally. Information on expenditure by local authorities or other bodies on these matters is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Pathfinders Housing Allowance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list those constituencies in which Pathfinder for Housing Allowance is being made available.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	On 21 October, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State wrote to the hon. Members whose constituencies cover those local authorities which we have invited to be pathfinders for the standard local housing allowance.
	The table lists the pathfinder authorities, along with the parliamentary constituencies which fall wholly or partially within those authority boundaries.
	
		
			 Local Authority Parliamentary Constituency 
		
		
			 Brighton & Hove City Council Kemptown 
			  Brighton Pavilion 
			  Hove 
			 City of Edinburgh Edinburgh East and Musselburgh 
			  Edinburgh West 
			  Edinburgh North and Leith 
			  Edinburgh Pentlands 
			  Edinburgh South 
			  Edinburgh Central 
			  Livingston 
			  Midlothian 
			 County Borough of Conwy Meirionnyddnant Conway 
			  Conwy 
			  Clwyd West 
			 Coventry City Council Coventry North East 
			  Coventry North West 
			  Coventry South 
			 Leeds City Council Elmet 
			  Leeds Central 
			  Leeds East 
			  Leeds North East 
			  Leeds North West 
			  Leeds West 
			  Morley & Rothwell 
			  Pudsey 
			 London Borough of Lewisham Lewisham Deptford 
			  Lewisham East 
			  Lewisham West 
			 Middlesbrough Council Middlesbrough 
			  Middlesbrough South and East 
			 Cleveland 
			 North East Lincolnshire Cleethorpes 
			  Great Grimsby 
			 Teignbridge District Council Teignbridge 
			  Totnes 
			 Tendring District Council Essex North 
			  Harwich

Firefighters' Strike

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has contingency plans to allow the Armed Forces access to standard fire service fire engines during Fire Service strikes.

Nick Raynsford: We are currently reviewing the availability of all appliances that could be deployed in the event of a strike by firefighters.

Firefighters' Strike

Simon Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he has taken to provide for emergency cover in the event of floods during any strike by fire brigade personnel.

Nick Raynsford: The role played by the Fire Service in relation to flooding is to assist with rescue and to pump water from flooded properties. In the event of industrial action, the military response will be primarily directed towards saving life. It is therefore important that local authorities should ensure they are up to date with names of contractors and equipment suppliers who could be called upon to assist during a flooding event. They should also formulate plans to arrange early evacuation if severe flooding is forecast.
	The Environment Agency's flood warning systems will continue to operate as normal. The Agency has also reviewed its emergency plans, in close liaison with local authorities and the police. The Agency will seek to assist the emergency services and local authorities as far as practicable by mobilising their resources including pumps and equipment, once it has ensured that its own systems and defences are secure.

Firefighters' Strike

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the number of fire fighting emergency vehicles which will be available in Somerset in the event of a firefighters strike; how many are available in a non-strike situation; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the Government's target is for the maximum time taken to get a fire engine to an emergency call-out within Somerset; what assessment he has made of whether this target will still be met during the planned firefighters' strike; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what correspondence he has received within the last two months from the Leader of Somerset County Council about the firefighters' strike; if he will publish his response to such correspondence; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the ability of local authorities and the armed forces to maintain a safe level of fire service in Somerset during the planned firefighters' strike; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  how many fire engines will be available for deployment in the Yeovil constituency during the planned firefighters' strike; what assessment he has made of the minimum safe level; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Emergency cover in Somerset is currently planned to consist of a number of elements including five Green Goddesses, three breathing apparatus teams (BARTs), rescue teams equipped with specialist equipment, (RESTs) and the police. The Somerset Fire Brigade has 48 pumping appliances, although not all these will be operational at any one time. Two Green Goddesses and a BART will be based at RNAS Yeovilton, 2 Green Goddesses, a BART and a REST will be based at Taunton. 1 Green Goddess and 1 BART will be based at Bridgewater.
	The provision of Ministry of Defence emergency fire cover has been planned in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer to minimise call-out response times and maximise the availability of a range of firefighting capabilities.
	The command and operational structure for emergency fire cover has been designed to enable maximum flexibility and use of available resources, whether from within a county or from assets deployed nearby in neighbouring counties. The deployment of firefighters will be based on the assessment of how best to respond to an emergency in the quickest time possible. The deployment will be kept under review.
	The target attendance times for Fire Brigade appliances vary according to the location of the reported incident, ranging from five minutes in busy high risk city centres to twenty minutes in rural areas. In the event of a firefighters strike it is not expected that military emergency cover would be able to match these attendance times in all cases. In providing emergency fire cover the Ministry of Defence would not be seeking to replicate the current fire fighting capability. The Armed Forces role during any strike will be to ensure that essential services are maintained by providing emergency cover and, by so doing, minimise the risk to life.
	The Leader of Somerset Council wrote to the Deputy Prime Minster on 4 and 25 October. My reply, which I have copied to local MPs, reflects what I have said above about the provision of emergency cover by the Ministry of Defence.

Firefighters' Strike

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what preparations he has made to ensure the safety and continuity of service to the public in Cambridgeshire in the event of a firefighters' strike; and what the cost is to the Department of these actions.

Nick Raynsford: Emergency cover in Cambridgeshire is currently planned to consist of seven Green Goddesses, three breathing apparatus teams (BARTs), a rescue team equipped with specialist equipment, (a REST) and the police. The Green Goddesses and BARTs will be based at Peterborough, Huntingdon and Cambridge. The REST will be based at Cambridge.
	The provision of Ministry of Defence emergency fire cover has been planned in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer to minimise call-out response times and maximise the availability of a range of firefighting capabilities.
	The command and operational structure for emergency fire cover has been designed to enable maximum flexibility and use of available resources, whether from within a county or from assets deployed nearby in neighbouring counties. The deployment of firefighters will be based on the assessment of how best to respond to an emergency in the quickest time possible. The deployment will be kept under review.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will meet the additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence in providing emergency fire cover in England and Wales, net of savings in wages lost by striking firefighters. But it is very difficult to predict exactly what the cost will be. It will depend very much on what strike action the Fire Brigades Union actually takes.

Firefighters' Strike

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  when the Independent Review Commission looking at firefighters' pay is expected to report; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will list the members of the Independent Review Commission examining the issue of firefighters' pay; how this membership has changed over the past two weeks; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The Independent Review of the Fire Service is being conducted by Professor Sir George Bain, who has an outstanding record in industrial relations and academia. He is being assisted by Sir Anthony Young, past President of the TUC, and Sir Michael Lyons, who until recently was the Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council. The membership of the Independent Review team has not changed since it was announced in early September. Sir George hopes to be able to publish the final report in December.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what strategies his Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to age diversity and is implementing the recommendations of the Government's Winning the Generation Game report.
	Discrimination on the ground of age is not permitted under our equal opportunities policy.
	Our recruitment, development, performance management and retention policies are continuously reviewed. There are no age barriers to employment and retirement age is determined on business needs only.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister what role his Department expects local government to play in the delivery of (a) objectives agreed at the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and (b) sustainable development; and what steps have been taken by his Department to encourage local action.

Tony McNulty: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be launching a major review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy in the new year. They will use this opportunity to consult stakeholders, including local authorities, on UK action to implement the Johannesburg commitments domestically.
	The Local Government Act 2000 placed a duty on local authorities to prepare community strategies for promoting the economic, social and environmental well being of their communities and contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in the UK.

Community Halls (Grants)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what grants his Department has allocated to community halls for the cost of installing disabled toilets in each of the last three years; what funds his Department is making available in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: As far as I can ascertain, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has paid no grants specifically to Community Halls for the cost of installing disabled toilets in the last three years. We pay grants to local authorities, which have a power, but not a duty, to provide public toilets. Local authorities are subject to the Disability Discrimination Act.

Post Office Network

David Wright: To ask the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria will be used to define deprived areas in relation to the Post Office Urban Network Re-invention Programme.

Tony McNulty: The ''Indices of Deprivation 2000'' will be used to define deprived areas in relation to both the Post Office Urban Network Re-invention Programme and the Post Office Fund for Urban deprived Areas.
	The Indices of Deprivation 2000 are measures of deprivation for every ward and local authority area in England. It combines a number of indicators which cover a range of domains (Income, Employment, Health Deprivation and Disability, Education, Skills and Training, Housing and Geographical Access to Services) into a single deprivation score for each area.
	The deprivation criteria for the Post Office Urban Network Re-invention Programme relates only to the fact that other than in exceptional circumstances, the compensated closure arrangements will not extend to offices in the 10 per cent. most deprived urban areas, which are more than half a mile from the next post office.
	The deprivation criteria for the Post Office Fund for Urban Deprived Areas will be announced shortly.

Home Safety

Christopher Chope: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what firm his Department has commissioned to gather data from individual householders about safety in the home; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has commissioned several organisations to carry out such research on its behalf since it took on responsibility for fire matters in May 2002
	The research projects undertaken relate to individual's or householder's attitudes or behaviour with regard to fire safety in the home and are as follows:
	The Attitude and Behaviour monitor is quantitative research which has been carried out annually by Taylor Nelson Sofres for four years—the last tranche being December 2001, and The Older People qualitative research was carried out by Andrew Irving Associates this summer.
	Additionally, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has commissioned the Home Office to provide fire safety data through the British Crime Survey. From 2001, the survey has been conducted by British Market Research Bureau. For the first few months, British Market Research Bureau were in consortium with IPSOS RSL.

Urban Summit

John Gummer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much (a) money, (b) departmental time and (c) other resources the Government has expended on the Urban Summit.

Tony McNulty: The final expenditure and income figures for the Urban Summit have yet to be determined. However, the net cost of staging the event, after taking account of income from ticket sales, exhibition stand sales and sponsorship is currently estimated at about #550,000. This figure includes the costs of contractors, consultants and agency staff recruited to work on the Summit organisation, but excludes the costs of permanent ODPM staff. The costs of the permanent ODPM staff in the Summit organising team are estimated at about #200,000.

Urban Summit

John Gummer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which urban councils not controlled by the Labour Party were represented at the Urban Summit on 31st October to 1st November.

Tony McNulty: All urban councils were invited to attend the Urban Summit, regardless of political control. An analysis of the delegate database is being carried out to provide the information requested. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information is available. A copy of my letter will be deposited in the House of commons Library.

Urban Summit

John Gummer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which (a) district councillors and (b) officers from urban councils which are not controlled by the Labour Party were invited (i) to speak and (ii) to chair sessions at the Urban Summit of 31st October to 1st November.

Tony McNulty: Taking all local authorities in England, one County Councillor and four officers either spoke at or chaired themed sessions at the Urban Summit from authorities which are not controlled by the Labour Party.

Urban Summit

Llew Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) regeneration initiatives and (b) publications launched by his Department at the Urban Summit in Birmingham; what the cost was of holding the summit; how many registered attendees and media representatives were present; whether a sustainability audit was done of the summit venue in advance of the decision to use the international convention centre; and if he will make a statement on matters learned at the summit; and what his next actions will be in relation to urban regeneration.

Tony McNulty: A number of initiatives and publications were launched at the Urban Summit in Birmingham on 31 October and 1 November 2002. These included:
	an announcement that steps were being taken to ensure that future housing developments in the South East would be at over 30 homes per hectare;
	publication of the report ''Living Places—Cleaner, Safer, Greener'' setting out the Government's vision for public space and its responses to the recommendations of the Urban Green Spaces Taskforce;
	the setting up of a new unit to champion public space under the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment;
	publication of five reports, called ''Partners in Urban Renaissance'' bringing together work done over the last year in 24 towns and cities across England;
	a partnership between the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships to work together on land assembly and delivering new homes;
	the first annual review of the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit entitled ''Places, People, Prospects'';
	publication of ''Cities, Regions and Competitiveness'' the interim report of a working Group on the role of Core Cities in creating prosperous regions.
	In relation to the cost of staging the Urban Summit I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. right Member for Suffolk Coastal (Mr. Gummer).
	Final checks are being made on delegate numbers but our records currently show that 1525 delegates registered and attended the Summit and 138 media representatives were present.
	No formal sustainability audit was carried out but sustainability issues, such as the accessibility of the venue by public transport, were factors in the criteria for selecting the venue.
	Debate on urban issues at the Summit took place not just in the plenary sessions, but also in 28 themed sessions. The key messages and ideas which came out of those sessions are being gathered together and will be fed into the development of the long term plan for sustainable communities which the Deputy Prime Minister will be presenting to the House in January 2003. A report on the Summit's proceedings will be deposited in the House of Commons library.

British-Irish Relations

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what dates Ministers in his Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 June 2000; where each Meeting took place; which ministers were involved in each meeting; which Irish Government departments were involved in each meeting; and which Ministers and officials from the Irish Government attended each meeting.

Christopher Leslie: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister attended the British-Irish Council Summit held in Jersey on 14 June 2002. The Taioseach and other Irish Ministers were also present. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 20 June 2002, Official Report c.494W.

Mobile Phone Masts

Phil Willis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many planning appeals his Department has decided on mobile phone masts and base stations; and what the outcome of the appeals were in each of the last three years.

Tony McNulty: The following information relates to appeal decisions about telecommunications development generally, as information is not held about appeal decisions for mobile phone masts and base stations specifically. However, I would estimate that a large proportion of the appeals were for mobile phone masts and base stations.
	
		
			 Year Appeals Recorded Appeals Allowed Appeals Dismissed Appeals Withdrawn 
		
		
			 2000 379 201 119 59 
			 2001 702 403 203 96 
			 2002 
			 (Jan-Oct) 446 283 137 26 
		
	
	Note:
	All figures relate to the year in which the appeal was received, not necessarily the year it was decided

Starter Homes Initiative

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many applications have been approved under the Starter Homes Initiative since its introduction, broken down by local authority area.

Tony McNulty: As at 31 October 2002, some 1240 key workers had purchased homes under the Starter Home Initiative who would otherwise have been unable to afford to do so. The table below, shows by local authority area in which they are employed and by key worker group, the number of key workers that have benefited so far through the Starter Home Initiative.
	
		
			 Local authority area in which key worker is employed Key worker group Number of key workers that have purchased homes under the Initiative 
		
		
			 Round 1 funding(14)   
			 Ashford Nurse/Hlth Wkr 4 
			 Ashford Teacher 2 
			 Aylesbury Vale Police 3 
			 Aylesbury Vale Teacher 3 
			 Barking and Teacher 3 
			 Dagenham   
			 Barnet Teacher 1 
			 Basildon Teacher 5 
			 Basingstoke and Deane Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Bedford Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Bexley Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Bexley Teacher 22 
			 Bournemouth Nurse/Hlth Wkr 14 
			 Bournemouth Teacher 5 
			 Bracknell Forest Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Bracknell Forest Police 2 
			 Bracknell Forest Teacher 5 
			 Braintree Teacher 3 
			 Brent Teacher 10 
			 Brighton and Hove Nurse/Hlth Wkr 9 
			 Brighton and Hove Other(16) 1 
			 Brighton and Hove Teacher 3 
			 Bristol Nurse/Hlth Wkr 6 
			 Bristol Teacher 3 
			 Bromley Nurse/Hlth Wkr 11 
			 Bromley Teacher 22 
			 Cambridge Nurse/Hlth Wkr 11 
			 Cambridge Other 1 
			 Cambridge Police 3 
			 Cambridge Teacher 8 
			 Camden Nurse/Hlth Wkr 18 
			 Camden Teacher 9 
			 Canterbury Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Canterbury Teacher 2 
			 Cherwell Other 2 
			 Cherwell Police 2 
			 Cherwell Teacher 4 
			 Chichester Nurse/Hlth Wkr 4 
			 Chichester Other 1 
			 Chichester Teacher 1 
			 Chiltern Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 Chiltern Teacher 2 
			 Christchurch Teacher 1 
			 Cotswold Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Cotswold Teacher 2 
			 Crawley Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Crawley Teacher 1 
			 Croydon Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 Croydon Teacher 23 
			 Dartford Nurse/Hlth Wkr 4 
			 Dartford Teacher 1 
			 Ealing Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Ealing Teacher 11 
			 East Hampshire Teacher 2 
			 Eastbourne Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Eastbourne Other 1 
			 Eastbourne Teacher 4 
			 Eastleigh Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 Eastleigh Police 2 
			 Elmbridge Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Elmbridge Police 1 
			 Elmbridge Teacher 7 
			 Enfield Teacher 1 
			 Epsom and Ewell Nurse/Hlth Wkr 4 
			 Epsom and Ewell Teacher 3 
			 Gravesham Teacher 1 
			 Greenwich Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Greenwich Teacher 19 
			 Guildford Nurse/Hlth Wkr 6 
			 Guildford Police 4 
			 Guildford Teacher 6 
			 Hackney Nurse/Hlth Wkr 16 
			 Hackney Teacher 2 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Nurse/Hlth Wkr 33 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Other 2 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Police 2 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Teacher 9 
			 Haringey Teacher 2 
			 Harlow Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Harlow Teacher 2 
			 Harrow Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Harrow Other 1 
			 Harrow Teacher 5 
			 Hart Teacher 6 
			 Hastings Other 1 
			 Hastings Teacher 1 
			 Havant Police 3 
			 Havant Teacher 3 
			 Havering Teacher 3 
			 Hertsmere Police 1 
			 Hillingdon Nurse/Hlth Wkr 7 
			 Hillingdon Teacher 10 
			 Horsham Teacher 4 
			 Hounslow Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Hounslow Teacher 10 
			 Islington Police 1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Kensington and Chelsea Police 2 
			 Kensington and Chelsea Teacher 5 
			 Kingston upon Thames Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Kingston upon Thames Teacher 10 
			 Lambeth Nurse/Hlth Wkr 31 
			 Lambeth Teacher 9 
			 Lewes Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 Lewisham Nurse/Hlth Wkr 13 
			 Lewisham Police 3 
			 Lewisham Teacher 32 
			 Maidstone Nurse/Hlth Wkr 8 
			 Maidstone Teacher 2 
			 Merton Police 1 
			 Merton Teacher 8 
			 Mid Sussex Nurse/Hlth Wkr 4 
			 Mid Sussex Teacher 3 
			 Mole Valley Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Mole Valley Other 1 
			 Newham Nurse/Hlth Wkr 4 
			 Newham Teacher 19 
			 North Hertfordshire Teacher 1 
			 Oxford Nurse/Hlth Wkr 17 
			 Oxford Police 7 
			 Oxford Teacher 9 
			 Reading Nurse/Hlth Wkr 13 
			 Reading Other 4 
			 Reading Police 6 
			 Reading Teacher 5 
			 Redbridge Teacher 13 
			 Reigate and Banstead Nurse/Hlth Wkr 19 
			 Reigate and Banstead Other 4 
			 Reigate and Banstead Teacher 7 
			 Richmond upon Thames Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Richmond upon Thames Teacher 5 
			 Rother Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 Rother Teacher 1 
			 Runnymede Nurse/Hlth Wkr 15 
			 Runnymede Teacher 13 
			 Rushmoor Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Rushmoor Police 1 
			 Rushmoor Teacher 6 
			 Slough Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 Slough Police 3 
			 Slough Teacher 7 
			 South Gloucestershire Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 South Gloucestershire Teacher 4 
			 South Oxfordshire Other 1 
			 South Oxfordshire Police 4 
			 South Oxfordshire Teacher 8 
			 Southampton Nurse/Hlth Wkr 23 
			 Southampton Teacher 13 
			 Southwark Nurse/Hlth Wkr 22 
			 Southwark Teacher 23 
			 Spelthorne Other 3 
			 Spelthorne Teacher 8 
			 St Albans Other 1 
			 St Albans Police 1 
			 St Albans Teacher 1 
			 Stevenage Police 2 
			 Stevenage Teacher 1 
			 Surrey Heath Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 Surrey Heath Teacher 6 
			 Sutton Nurse/Hlth Wkr 5 
			 Sutton Teacher 17 
			 Swindon Nurse/Hlth Wkr 7 
			 Swindon Teacher 12 
			 Tandridge Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Tandridge Police 1 
			 Tandridge Teacher 3 
			 Test Valley Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 Test Valley Teacher 1 
			 Tonbridge and Malling Teacher 4 
			 Tower Hamlets Teacher 11 
			 Tunbridge Wells Nurse/Hlth Wkr 4 
			 Tunbridge Wells Teacher 3 
			 Vale of White Horse Teacher 2 
			 Waltham Forest Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Waltham Forest Teacher 11 
			 Wandsworth Nurse/Hlth Wkr 7 
			 Wandsworth Police 1 
			 Wandsworth Teacher 18 
			 Watford Nurse/Hlth Wkr 4 
			 Watford Police 6 
			 Waverley Nurse/Hlth Wkr 6 
			 Waverley Other 1 
			 Waverley Teacher 15 
			 Wealden Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 Wealden Police 1 
			 Wealden Teacher 1 
			 Welwyn Hatfield Police 2 
			 Westminster Nurse/Hlth Wkr 16 
			 Westminster Police 3 
			 Westminster Teacher 11 
			 Winchester Nurse/Hlth Wkr 10 
			 Winchester Police 3 
			 Winchester Teacher 53 
			 Woking Nurse/Hlth Wkr 2 
			 Woking Other 1 
			 Woking Teacher 9 
			 Wokingham Nurse/Hlth Wkr 3 
			 Wokingham Other 1 
			 Wokingham Police 4 
			 Wokingham Teacher 15 
			 Wycombe Nurse/Hlth Wkr 8 
			 Wycombe Teacher 3 
			  
			  Sub-total Round 1M. 1228 
			 Round 2 funding(15)   
			 East Hampshire Police 3 
			 Guildford Teacher 1 
			 North Hertfordshire Teacher 1 
			 Rugby Teacher 1 
			 Salisbury Nurse/Hlth Wkr 1 
			 The Medway Towns Teacher 1 
			 Three Rivers Teacher 1 
			 Thurrock Teacher 1 
			 Warwick Teacher 2 
			 Watford Teacher 1 
			 West Wiltshire Teacher 2 
			  
			  Sub-total Round 2 15 
			  
			  Total Rounds 1 and 2 1243 
		
	
	Notes:
	(14) Round 1 funding was allocated in September 2001
	(15) Round 2 #10,000 equity loan scheme funding was allocated to help key workers in housing hot spots outside London in May 2002
	(16) Other key workers being helped under the Initiative are social workers, care workers, fire fighters, transport workers and occupational therapists.

Regions

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what were the administrative costs of (a) regional development agencies, (b) government offices for the regions and (c) regional chambers, in each region, this year; what the projected costs are for the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The available estimates for 2002–03 are in the table below.
	The figures for the voluntary regional chambers show only Government grant. The remainder of their costs is a matter for the chambers themselves.
	Projected costs for 2003–04 are not available, except for voluntary regional chambers which will continue to have available Government grant of #600,000 each.
	
		
			 Regional Regional Development Agency Government Office Voluntary Regional Chamber 
		
		
			 North East #16,722,000 #8,658,690 #600,000 
			 North West #19,921,000 #13,852,480 #600,000 
			 Yorkshire & 
			 the Humber #14,750,000 #9,520,690 #600,000 
			 East Midlands #10,467,000 #7,395,220 #600,000 
			 West 
			 Midlands #13,500,000 #9,213,410 #600,000 
			 South West #13,975,000 #9,418,630 #600,000 
			 East of 
			 England #7,245,000 #7,704,080 #600,000 
			 South East #12,839,000 #9,249,800 #600,000 
			 London #14,044,000 #12,215,670 n/a

Regions

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many written representations he has received in the last 12 months expressing support for elected regional assemblies; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Andrew George) on 23 October 2002, Official Report, column 389W.
	Further to that reply, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has now received over 1,200 individual responses to the White Paper Your Region, Your Choice, which we published on 9 May. I will write to the hon. Member once our analysis of these responses has been completed. In the six months prior to the publication of the White Paper we also received a number of letters and other enquiries about the Government's policy on elected regional assemblies.

Overseas Visits

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list each overseas visit undertaken by himself and his Ministers along with the cost of each trip.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24 July 2002, Official Report, column 1374–75W.

Fire Service

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many discussions ministers have held with (a) Sir George Bain and members and officers of the Bain Inquiry since September and (b) representatives of the Fire Brigades Union since January; what was discussed at each; when each took place; and who participated.

Nick Raynsford: Ministers have had several discussions with Sir George Bain, and members and officers of the Independent Review of the Fire Service (IRFS); and with representatives of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). Subjects discussed included the working arrangements of the IRFS; the progress of negotiations on the FBU pay claim and the availability of striking members of the FBU in the case of a life-threatening emergency. Discussions have involved a variety of participants, including Ministers and senior officials.

Fire Service

Joan Walley: To ask the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the commencement date of each review undertaken in respect of the Fire Service; and in each case, whether (a) the findings have been published and (b) they have been placed in the Library.

Tony McNulty: The Tables below set out the reviews of aspects of the fire service in England and Wales which have been started since May 1997. They do not include research projects. On 5 September the Government announced an Independent Review of the Fire Service under the Chairmanship of Professor Sir George Bain. The Independent Review is in progress.
	
		
			 Review Review commenced Findings published In Library 
		
		
			 Inquiry into the 
			 Machinery for 
			 Determining Firefighters' Conditions of Service October 1999 March 2000 Cmd 4699 
			 Fire Pensions Review 1994 Consultation Document March 1998 Yes 
			 Fire Cover Review June 1998 Report to be 
			 considered at next 
			 meeting of the 
			 Central Fire Brigades 
			 Advisory Council. No 
			 The Future of Fire 
			 Service Control Rooms and Communications Announced October 1999 Summary of report 
			 circulated May 2000 Yes 
		
	
	In addition Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate have undertaken the following thematic reviews of aspects of the Fire Service.
	
		
			 Thematic Review Review commenced Findings published In Library 
		
		
			 Equality and Fairness in the Fire Service November 1998 September 1999 Yes 
			 Fit for Duty March 1999 February 2000 Yes 
			 Making a Difference July 1999 November 2000 Yes 
			 Reducing False 
			 Alarms July 1999 March 2001 Yes 
			 Bridging the Gap September 1999 May 2001 Yes 
		
	
	I will ensure that copies of those reports that are not already in the Library are placed there in due course.

Homelessness

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) homeless priority acceptances, (b) people living in temporary accommodation, (c) people living in bed-and-breakfast accomodation and (d) children living in homeless households there were in each year since January 1977, broken down by region.

Barbara Roche: I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information is available.

Homelessness

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the number of homeless (a) individuals and (b) families accommodated in (i) bed and breakfast and (ii) hostels in each London borough; and what advice he is giving borough council's on the use of such facilities.

Barbara Roche: The following numbers of homeless families are reported to have been in bed and breakfast and hostel accommodation as at 30 June 2002:
	
		
			  Families B&B Individuals Total Families Hostel Individuals Total 
		
		
			 Barking & Dagenham 15 23 38 n/a n/a 36 
			 Barnet n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Bexley 19 23 42 17 6 23 
			 Brent 444 112 556 31 22 53 
			 Bromley 77 61 138 75 16 91 
			 Camden 85 83 168 266 156 422 
			 City 2 6 8 0 0 0 
			 Croydon 337 198 535 5 0 5 
			 Ealing 470 223 693 107 47 161 
			 Enfield 149 79 228 18 47 161 
			 Greenwich 20 46 66 56 26 82 
			 Hackney n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Hammersmith & Fulham 320 271 591 128 12 141 
			 Havering 0 0 0 48 24 72 
			 Hillingdon n/a n/a 486 59 55 114 
			 Hounslow n/a n/a 346 n/a n/a 171 
			 Islington n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Kensington & Chelsea n/a n/a 383 n/a n/a 38 
			 Kingston upon Thames 5 7 12 32 65 97 
			 Lambeth 233 218 451 162 139 301 
			 Lewisham 0 0 0 n/a n/a 339 
			 Merton 37 22 59 39 14 53 
			 Newham n/a n/a 845 n/a n/a 51 
			 Redbridge n/a n/a 272 n/a n/a 41 
			 Richmond upon Thames 20 28 48 50 18 68 
			 Southwark 107 138 245 119 163 282 
			 Sutton 40 23 63 10 25 35 
			 Tower Hamlets 151 171 322 13 4 17 
			 Waltham Forest 26 11 37 70 18 88 
			 Wandsworth 2 436 438 0 139 139 
			 Westminster n/a n/a 840 0 0 0 
			 Total 2,576 2,184 7,932 1,347 1,021 3,044 
		
	
	The Government have committed that by March 2004, local authorities will ensure that no homeless family with children will be in bed and breakfast hotels other than in an emergency and even then for no more than 6 weeks. Advice to local authorities on the use of accommodation for homeless individuals and families is contained in the Homelessness Code of Guidance which was issued jointly by my Department and the Department of Health in July 2002.
	The figures referred relate to individuals and families who are statutory homeless i.e. the number of applications to local authorities.

Ministerial Discussions

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many discussions Ministers have held with (a) councillors, (b) devolved Administrations and (c) the Mayor of London since May; what subjects were discussed at each; when they took place; and who participated.

Christopher Leslie: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have regular meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals, including Councillors, members of the Devolved Adminstrations and the Mayor of London. As with previous Administrations it is not practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Housing Stock

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many dwellings were transferred under large scale stock transfers in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The table below lists those local authorities that have undertaken large scale voluntary transfers since 1997 and the number of dwellings transferred in each transfer.
	
		List of all Large Scale Voluntary Transfers which have taken place since 1997
		
			 Date of Transfer Authority No. of Dwellings Annual Total 
		
		
			 28–02–1997 COTSWOLD DC 4,282  
			 07–03–1997 SOUTH STAFFS C 5,273  
			 19–03–1997 LICHFIELD DC 4,921  
			 07–07–1997 SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DC 5,018  
			 22–09–1997 EDEN C 1,510 21,004 
			 05–01–1998 LB LAMBETH* Moorlands 515  
			 09–02–1998 LB BEXLEY 4,118  
			 09–02–1998 LB BEXLEY 4,097  
			 02–03–1998 CONGLETON BC 4,061  
			 09–03–1998 OLDHAM BC* Limehurst 642  
			 19–03–1998 LIVERPOOL CC* Windermere 493  
			 23–03–1998 LB MERTON* Pollards Hill 1,018  
			 23–03–1998 LB TOWER HAMLETS* Poplar I 1,852  
			 23–03–1998 KERRIER DC 3,732  
			 30–03–1998 LB HACKNEY* Kingsmead 951  
			 30–03–1998 LB BRENT* Fortunegate/ Church End 1,481  
			 30–03–1998 BASILDON DC* Vange 708  
			 30–03–1998 WEST SOMERSET DC 1,869  
			 31–03–1998 STOKE-ON-TRENT CC* Bentilee 917  
			 27–04–1998 TEWKESBURY BC 3,066  
			 01–05–1998 ROTHER DC 3,058  
			 20–07–1998 LB LAMBETH* Lansdowne Green 681  
			 07–12–1998 LB TOWER HAMLETS* Poplar II 2,431  
			 25–01–1999 WIRRAL* Leasowe 1,082 35,690 
			 01–02–1999 TAMESIDE* West Ashton 901  
			 22–02–1999 WEST DEVON BC 1,446  
			 01–03–1999 SOUTH SOMERSET DC 8,883  
			 01–03–1999 EAST LINDSEY DC 5,102  
			 05–03–1999 LIVERPOOL CC* Pinehurst 646  
			 08–03–1999 MANCHESTER CC 1,030  
			 15–03–1999 LB HACKNEY* Morningside 1,084  
			 22–03–1999 SOUTH HAMS DISTRICT COUNCIL 3,096  
			 17–03–1999 LB HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM* 
			 Old Oak 668  
			 22–03–1999 LB HACKNEY* Upper Clapton 1,000  
			 25–03–1999 TELFORD AND WREKIN C 13,081  
			 29–03–1999 LB ENFIELD 1,194  
			 29–03–1999 WORTHING BC 2,525  
			 29–03–1999 BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET C 9,887 
			 29–03–1999 MANCHESTER CC* East 
			 Wythenshawe 6,667  
			 29–03–1999 LB GREENWICH* Charlton Triangle 1,280  
			 29–03–1999 LB HACKNEY* Haggerston 661  
			 31–03–1999 ALLERDALE BC 3,704  
			 31–03–1999 ALLERDALE BC* Salterbeck 727  
			 14–06–1999 PRESTON BC* Avenham 1,121  
			 05–07–1999 LB LAMBETH* Central Stockwell 2,358  
			 21–06–1999 BIRMINGHAM CC* Central Areas 2,813  
			 26–09–1999 LB ISLINGTON* Barnsbury 647  
			 26–09–1999 LB ISLINGTON* Ten Estates 739  
			 04–10–1999 LIVERPOOL CC* Speke Garston 4,382  
			 18–10–1999 WEST LINDSEY DC 3,929  
			 25–10–1999 LB LAMBETH* St. Martins 1,033  
			 29–11–1999 BOSTON BC 4,871  
			 20–12–1999 TYNEDALE DC 3,564 89,039 
			 31–01–2000 NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME BC 9,887  
			 07–02–2000 RESTORMEL BC 3,577  
			 14–02–2000 MANCHESTER CC (COLSHAW 
			 FARM) 600  
			 21–02–2000 NORTH DEVON DC 3,293  
			 06–03–2000 LB HACKNEY* Stamford Hill 1,095  
			 06–03–2000 LB HACKNEY* Pembury Estate 1,241  
			 08–03–2000 BURNLEY BC 5,330  
			 20–03–2000 MANCHESTER CC Sale Estate 1,655  
			 20–03–2000 WEYMOUTH AND PORTLAND C 3,105  
			 20–03–2000 HUNTINGDON DC 6,650  
			 27–03–2000 ELMBRIDGE BC 4,894  
			 27–03–2000 TEST VALLEY BC 5,495  
			 27–03–2000 WYRE FOREST DC 6,056  
			 27–03–2000 MANCHESTER CC Whitefield Estate 1,033  
			 27–03–2000 LB TOWER HAMLETS* THCH 1,551  
			 27–03–2000 TAMESIDE 8,532  
			  MBC 7,934  
			 17–07–2000 LB RICHMOND 7,139  
			 22–09–2000 COVENTRY CC 20,125  
			 02–10–2000 FYLDE BC 1,905  
			 27–11–2000 CHESTER CC 7,096  
			 11–12–2000 HORSHAM DC 4,650 112,843 
			 12–02–2001 LB TOWER HAMLETS 196  
			 19–02–2001 EAST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE DC 3,495  
			 19–02–2001 TORBAY C 2,947  
			 23–02–2001 STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS 
			 DC 3,132  
			 06–03–2001 CALDERDALE MBC 12,759  
			 13–03–2001 CHICHESTER DC 5,321  
			 19–03–2001 MENDIP DC 4,326  
			 26–03–2001 WEST WILTSHIRE DC 3,284  
			 26–03–2001 WEST OXFORDSHIRE DC 3,643  
			 26–03–2001 EAST STAFFORDSHIRE BC 5,637  
			 26–03–2001 MANCHESTER CC Handforth Estate 659  
			 26–03–2001 SUNDERLAND CC 36,356  
			 28–03–2001 BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN BC 9,886  
			 01–10–2001 SHREWSBURY & ATCHAM BC 5,500  
			 05–11–2001 MID-BEDFORDSHIRE DC 3,084 100,225 
			 04–03–2002 DERBYSHIRE DALES 3,287  
			 11–03–2002 CHELMSFORD BC 6,902  
			 18–03–2002 EAST HERTFORDSHIRE 2,687  
			  DC 3,237  
			 25–03–2002 EREWASH BC 5,847  
			 25–03–2002 REIGATE & BANSTEAD BC 4,846  
			 24–06–2002 St EDMUNDSBURY 5,947  
			 01–07–2002 VALE ROYAL BC 6,813  
			 01–07–2002 St HELENS MBC 14,632  
			 15–07–2002 REDCAR & CLEVELAND BC 11,625  
			 15–07–2002 KNOWSLEY MBC 17,090  
			 30–09–2002 LB WALTHAM FOREST 2,574  
			 14–10–2002 LB HACKNEY cc sheltered stock 954  
			 14–10–2002 LB HARROW 518 86,959 
			   
			  Total Number of Dwellings that have been transferred since 1997 445,760 
		
	
	Note:
	* indicated the transfer was an Estates Renewal Challenge Fund scheme

Affordable Housing

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much affordable housing there was in each region in England and Wales in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The available information in respect of housing provided by local authorities and registered social landlords is presented below.
	
		Social Landlord dwelling stock in England and Wales as at 31 March
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Registered Social Landlords  
			 North East 47 48 49 53 89 
			 North West 153 159 178 213 225 
			 Yorkshire & The Humber 67 70 73 75 89 
			 East Midlands 48 51 58 69 74 
			 West Midlands 102 114 130 150 179 
			 East 97 101 105 114 117 
			 London 205 220 240 252 271 
			 South East 186 197 206 218 234 
			 South West 85 89 123 134 146 
			 Wales 48 50 52 54 55 
			 Local Authorities  
			 North East 298 292 286 276 233 
			 North West 523 509 485 445 416 
			 Yorkshire & The Humber 441 434 427 419 397 
			 East Midlands 293 289 280 265 257 
			 West Midlands 410 402 381 354 316 
			 East 302 295 290 277 271 
			 London 621 596 575 553 532 
			 South East 288 278 268 252 234 
			 South West 224 214 184 170 156 
			 Wales 204 201 197 193 188 
			 All social landlords  
			 North East 345 341 335 329 323 
			 North West 676 668 663 658 641 
			 Yorkshire & The Humber 508 504 500 494 486 
			 East Midlands 341 340 338 334 331 
			 West Midlands 512 516 512 504 495 
			 East 399 396 394 391 388 
			 London 826 816 815 805 803 
			 South East 474 475 474 471 468 
			 South West 308 303 307 304 302 
			 Wales 252 251 249 247 243 
		
	
	Information about the number of affordable housing units built without any form of public funding is not collected centrally.

Social Housing

Alan Simpson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many respondents to the Consultation Paper on a Decency Standard for Social Housing supported the view that the proposed minimum standards required under the Thermal Comfort criteria were sufficiently rigorous; and how many took the opposing view.

Tony McNulty: The Consultation Paper on refining the detail of the thermal comfort criterion of a decent home proposed two options:
	(a) retaining the fuel poverty measure; and
	(b) moving to a stock measure of thermal comfort which would require a dwelling to have both effective insulation and efficient heating.
	Of the 140 respondents to the consultation:
	46% favoured moving to the proposed stock measure,
	26% favoured moving to a stock measure but stated that they felt the standard proposed was too low,
	25% rejected both proposals—many of these respondents suggested SAP although there was little consensus on what constituted an appropriate level; and 3% favoured the retention of fuel poverty as the measure.
	Following the consultation a number of refinements were made to the definition of efficient heating and effective insulation before publishing the revised guidance. The main change was the requirement for higher levels of insulation in dwellings with electric storage heaters, programmable solid fuel or LPG central heating.

Social Housing

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many successful asylum applicants were subsequently housed in social housing in each Government Office region in each year since 1999.

Tony McNulty: The Government do not collect information relating to the number of former asylum seekers granted refugee status or exceptional leave to remain who are housed in social housing.

Social Housing

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many of those recognised as refugees and granted indefinite leave to remain or exceptional leave to remain were later accepted as being owed a duty by a local authority under the Homelessness Act 2002 in each Government Office region in each year since 1999.

Tony McNulty: The Government do not collect information about the number of persons granted refugee status or exceptional leave to remain who are allocated housing accommodation by local housing authorities under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996, or allocated accommodation by registered social landlords. Nor does the Government collect information specifically about the number of persons granted refugee status or exceptional leave to remain who are accepted as owed a duty by a local housing authority under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002).
	However, data about households accepted as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and whose last settled home were accommodation provided by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), has been collected from local housing authorities on the quarterly housing activity return (Form PIE) since April 2002. The degree of response and the quality of data received varied widely and the data we hold for the April to June 2002 quarter are not considered reliable. Information for the July to September 2002 quarter will be available in December 2002. These data do not, however, identify refugees and persons granted exceptional leave to remain who were not accommodated by NASS.

Social Housing

Alan Simpson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which of his Department's Public Service Agreements relate to fuel poverty reduction; and what progress has been made to date in achieving them.

Tony McNulty: The Public Service Agreement to bring all social housing up to a decent standard and to increase the proportion of vulnerable households in the private sector who live in homes that are in decent condition by 2010 will contribute to a reduction in fuel poverty. To be classed as decent, a home must provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort by providing efficient heating and effective insulation, measures which will make homes cheaper to heat.
	On the social sector side of the target, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is on track to meet its interim target of tackling a third of the worst social housing by 2004 and is working to ensure it meets the target by reviewing all policies that contribute to the delivery of decent social housing to ensure they are as effective as possible and provide value for money.
	For the private sector side of the target, officials are in the process of drawing up a delivery plan with colleagues in DEFRA responsible for the home energy efficiency scheme. The plan will set out in detail how the target will be delivered and include the steps that will be taken to ensure the contributing policies and procedures are working together as efficiently as possible.

Social Housing

Alan Simpson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the number of fuel-poor households who occupy dwellings that meet the Thermal Comfort criteria of the Decent Homes Standard; and how many households in this sector will remain fuel poor after all social housing complies with the standard.

Tony McNulty: We will not have up-to-date figures of the numbers of fuel poor households living in decent homes until we complete the relevant parts of the analysis of the 2001 English House Condition Survey, in early 2003. This work will be undertaken jointly between ODPM, DEFRA and DTI.
	To estimate the numbers of households who will be living in fuel poor households after all social housing is brought up to a decent standard in 2010 requires a number of assumptions about influencing factors such as energy prices and incomes. We are not able to provide a robust estimate of these factors at this time.

Right to Buy

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information he has collated on the number of council dwellings sold under right-to-buy in each of the past five years in each London borough; and the number of new dwellings constructed by RSL or councils; and how many he expects to be constructed in 2002–03 and 2003–04.

Tony McNulty: The available information on right to buy sales and new build in London is presented in the tables below:
	
		
			  Reported activity in 1997–98 (n/r indicates not reported) Estimated activity in 1997–98 Reported activity in 1998–99 (n/r indicates not reported) Estimated activity in 1998–99 
			  Sales under Right to Buy New dwellings completed Sales under Right to Buy New dwellings completed 
			 Local Authority district Local Authority months n/r Local Authority Registered Social Landlord Total Social Landlords Local Authority months n/r Local Authority Registered Social Landlord Total Social Landlords 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 433  2 12 14 393  0 8 8 
			 Barnet 195  0 178 178 260  0 80 80 
			 Bexley 183  0 48 48 0  0 19 19 
			 Brent 214  0 1 1 184  0 30 30 
			 Bromley 0  0 33 33 0  0 28 28 
			 Camden 514  0 172 172 505  0 85 85 
			 City of London 26  0 0 0 58  0 0 0 
			 Croydon 164  0 362 362 156  0 221 221 
			 Ealing 205  0 12 12 218  0 121 121 
			 Enfield 172  0 51 51 163  0 152 152 
			 Greenwich 392  0 226 226 373  0 197 197 
			 Hackney 222  34 549 583 337  0 251 251 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 141  0 74 74 189  0 22 22 
			 Haringey 262  0 131 131 284  0 63 63 
			 Harrow 85  0 66 66 97  0 5 5 
			 Havering 183  0 39 39 209  0 25 25 
			 Hillingdon 226  2 293 295 287  35 165 200 
			 Hounslow 192  0 38 38 290  0 21 21 
			 Islington 339  0 0 0 393  0 65 65 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 103  0 0 0 95  0 41 41 
			 Kingston upon Thames 65  0 22 22 55  0 2 2 
			 Lambeth 387  0 286 286 454  0 168 168 
			 Lewisham 365  0 345 345 524  0 167 167 
			 Merton 120  0 39 39 173  0 128 128 
			 Newham 286  0 103 103 300  0 180 180 
			 Redbridge 61  0 22 22 85  0 5 5 
			 Richmond upon Thames 86  0 6 6 92  0 8 8 
			 Southwark 344  14 130 144 418  0 70 70 
			 Sutton 141  0 32 32 124  0 19 19 
			 Tower Hamlets 465  0 172 172 641  0 59 59 
			 Waltham Forest 192  0 743 743 190  0 643 643 
			 Wandsworth 240  0 33 33 267  0 37 37 
			 Westminster 164  0 111 111 239  0 113 113 
		
	
	Note:
	Statistics on Right to Buy include some rent to mortgage sales.
	
		
			  Reported activity in 1999–00 (n/r indicates not reported) Estimated activity in 1999–00 Reported activity in 2000–01 (n/r indicates not reported) Estimated activity in 2000–01 
			  Sales under Right to Buy New dwellings completed Sales under Right to Buy New dwellings completed 
			 Local Authority district Local Authority months n/r Local Authority Registered Social Landlord Total Social Landlords Local Authority months n/r Local Authority Registered Social Landlord Total Social Landlords 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 762  0 18 18 527 3 0 80 80 
			 Barnet 287  0 98 98 252  0 168 168 
			 Bexley 0  0 27 27 0  0 98 98 
			 Brent 265  0 1 1 156 3 0 251 251 
			 Bromley 0  0 97 97 0  0 33 33 
			 Camden 560  0 166 166 760  0 290 290 
			 City of London 81  0 21 21 50  0 0 0 
			 Croydon 181  0 194 194 249  0 77 77 
			 Ealing 354  0 125 125 330  0 88 88 
			 Enfield 327  0 84 84 216  0 344 344 
			 Greenwich 515  0 64 64 518  0 147 147 
			 Hackney 493  0 235 235 764  0 134 134 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 240  0 23 23 380  0 0 0 
			 Haringey 442  0 85 85 239 6 0 86 86 
			 Harrow 134  0 3 3 88  0 0 0 
			 Havering 307  0 47 47 273  0 28 28 
			 Hillingdon 266  0 142 142 231  79 294 373 
			 Hounslow 335  0 0 0 283  0 24 24 
			 Islington 325 3 0 27 27 n/r 12 0 44 44 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 147  0 20 20 108  0 55 55 
			 Kingston upon Thames 98  0 45 45 51  0 44 44 
			 Lambeth 644  0 173 173 669 3 0 266 266 
			 Lewisham 634  0 93 93 n/r 12 0 151 151 
			 Merton 177  0 149 149 164 3 0 51 51 
			 Newham 430  0 120 120 272 6 0 133 133 
			 Redbridge 108  0 39 39 129  0 39 39 
			 Richmond upon Thames 225  0 30 30 33 6 0 20 20 
			 Southwark 643  0 15 15 809  0 26 26 
			 Sutton 214  0 122 122 146  0 172 172 
			 Tower Hamlets 815  0 202 202 1074  0 132 132 
			 Waltham Forest 289  0 186 186 244  79 517 596 
			 Wandsworth 514  0 76 76 323  0 3 3 
			 Westminster 391  0 207 207 440  0 367 367 
		
	
	Note:
	Statistics on Right to Buy include some rent to mortgage sales.
	
		
			  
		
		
			  Reported activity in 2001–02 (n/r indicates not reported) Estimated activity in 2001–02 
			  Sales under Right to Buy New dwellings completed 
			 Local Authority district Local Authority months n/r Local Authority Registered Social Landlord Total Social Landlords 
			 Barking and 
			 Dagenham 374 3 20 57 77 
			 Barnet 168  0 72 72 
			 Bexley 0 3 0 27 27 
			 Brent 159  0 294 294 
			 Bromley 0 6 0 9 9 
			 Camden 671  0 30 30 
			 City of 
			 London 39  0 0 0 
			 Croydon 259  0 114 114 
			 Ealing 309  0 89 89 
			 Enfield 210  0 312 312 
			 Greenwich 470  0 72 72 
			 Hackney 373 3 5 396 401 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 221  0 0 0 
			 Haringey n/r 12 0 160 160 
			 Harrow 71 3 0 8 8 
			 Havering 219  0 137 137 
			 Hillingdon 163  0 182 182 
			 Hounslow 142 3 0 87 87 
			 Islington 844  5 0 5 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 42  0 11 11 
			 Kingston upon Thames 32  0 4 4 
			 Lambeth n/r 12 0 364 364 
			 Lewisham n/r 12 0 264 264 
			 Merton 165  0 81 81 
			 Newham 461 3 0 160 160 
			 Redbridge 101  0 12 12 
			 Richmond upon Thames 0 6 0 28 28 
			 Southwark 930  0 22 22 
			 Sutton 125  0 83 83 
			 Tower Hamlets 1007  0 415 415 
			 Waltham Forest 188  22 61 83 
			 Wandsworth 149 3 0 0 0 
			 Westminster 207  0 243 243 
		
	
	Ministers set the Housing Corporation a target to complete a minimum of 21,000 dwellings in England in 2002–03. The Corporation's Investment Bulletin, published in April 2002, forecast that approximately 5,200 of these units would be in London.
	The bidding round for the 2003–04 approved development programme (ADP) is now in progress. The Housing Corporation's Investment Bulletin for 2003–04 will be published early next year.

Special Advisers

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the special advisers serving in his Department, and their salary bands; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: There are three special advisers serving in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister—Joan Hammell, Ian McKenzie and Paul Hackett. For details of paybands occupied by special advisers I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 24 July, Official Report, Hansard, column 1372W.

Housing Fitness Standards

Alan Simpson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the timescale is for the full implementation of the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System; and what mechanisms exist to ensure compliance with its requirements.

Tony McNulty: We intend to legislate to replace the current housing fitness standard with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System at the earliest opportunity. We will ensure that appropriate mechanisms exist for compliance with the new regime.

Land Ownership (Public Authorities)

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment has been made by his Department of the total development land owned by public authorities in each London borough; and what advice he gives on its disposal.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister collects information about previously developed land, distinguishing between that in the ownership of the private sector, local authorities and other public sector bodies, and the borough in which it is located. ODPM published National Land Use Database—Previously Developed Land (NLUD-PDL) data for 2001 on 12th September 2002 and this is available at www.odpm.gov.uk, including a Supplementary Table on ''Previously developed land that is unused or may be available for redevelopment by land type and Planning Authority: England 2001''.
	Guidance on disposals includes chapter 24 of ''Government Accounting 2000'', available at www.government-accounting.gov.uk.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans his Department has to decentralise non-departmental public bodies that are affiliated to his Department and devolve their responsibilities to local authorities.

Nick Raynsford: There are currently no plans to decentralise the work of Non-Departmental Public Bodies to local authorities. The Housing Corporation has long had regional offices.
	In the case of the four Housing Action Trusts, the relevant local authority is represented on each board by 1–3 Councillors and tenants have the right to choose the Council or a Registered Social Landlord as their future landlord.
	We also plan to introduce new arrangements to strengthen links, at regional level between housing, planning and economic development strategies. These arrangements include the introduction of a single regional pot for resources for housing investment.

Parliamentary Questions/Correspondence

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to him from hon. Members in this session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

Christopher Leslie: (a) As at today, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no Parliamentary Questions outstanding.
	(b) The Cabinet Office publishes a report to Parliament on an annual basis, setting out the volume of Members' correspondence received by departments. The Report for 2001 was published on Friday 24 May, [Col. 677w]. Copies of previous reports are available in the Library of the House.
	Following the recent machinery of government changes and the creation of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 29 May 2002 I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information on correspondence is collated.

Houses in Multiple Occupation

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to bring forward legislation to ensure that homes in multiple occupation meet satisfactory standards, with particular reference to energy efficiency.

Tony McNulty: The Government are committed to raising standards in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and we intend to introduce legislation to achieve this as soon as a legislative slot is available. Our proposed measures will include a requirement for local authorities in England & Wales to licence those HMOs in their areas that pose the greatest risk to the health and safety of their occupiers. Underpinning the licensing regime and applying to all residential properties will be a new risk assessment based approach to housing conditions, which will replace the current prescriptive standards, and enable local authorities to target those HMOs with the worst housing conditions, including energy efficiency standards.

Council Rents

Iain Coleman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cumulative additional rent paid in real terms over the 10 years rent restructuring period by council tenants in London in (a) money terms at 2002–03 prices and (b) as a percentage of the Housing Revenue Account rent income for 2001–02 at 2002–03 prices, assuming that (i) there is no change in the number of council tenants over the period, (ii) councils move to the average of the formula rents proposed by his Office and (iii) they do so in the roughly equal steps proposed by his Office, (1) taking the impact of individual tenants' rent increase capping into account and (2) not taking the impact into account;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the average real terms increase in rents paid by council tenants in London in (a) money terms at 2002–03 prices and (b) percentage terms compared to 2002–03 prices at the end of the 10 year rent restructuring period, assuming (i) that there is no change in the number of council tenants over the period and (ii) that councils move to the average of the formula rents as proposed by his Office, 1 taking the impact of individual tenants' rent increase capping into account and 2 not taking the impact into account.

Tony McNulty: Setting of council tenants' rents remains a matter for individual local authorities. Future council rent levels will be influenced by, among other things, the outcome of future Spending Reviews.
	However, were London boroughs to follow our policy on rent restructuring, we estimate that on current assumptions the average rent paid by council tenants in London in 2011–12 at the end of the ten year rent restructuring period, would be #8.17 higher in real terms in 2002–2003 prices. This represents a real increase of 12.8 per cent., as a percentage of the Housing Revenue Account rental income of London boroughs for 2001–2002 in today's prices.
	The estimated cumulative additional average rent paid each year in real terms over the ten years is shown in the following table in 2002–2003 prices.
	
		
			 Year Real rent increase Percentage increase over today's average rent 
		
		
			 2002–2003 #0.82 1.3% 
			 2003–2004 #1.63 2.6% 
			 2004–2005 #2.6% 3.8% 
			 2005–2006 #3.27 5.1% 
			 2006–2007 #4.09 6.4% 
			 2007–2008 #4.90 7.7% 
			 2008–2009 #5.72 8.9% 
			 2009–2010 #6.54 10.2% 
			 2010–2011 #7.35 11.5% 
			 2011–2012 #8.17 12.8% 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. These figures do not make any allowance for the impact of future Right To Buy sales or transfers to Registered Social Landlords.
	2. As relevant data is currently unavailable, these estimates do not take account of the effects of the rent caps and limits on individual rent rises, which will have the effect of reducing this average rise.

Council Rents

Iain Coleman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to ensure that the proceeds of the increased rents in real terms paid by council tenants in London over successive years as a result of rent restructuring will be available for (a) the better resourcing of services to council tenants' homes and (b) investment in those homes.

Tony McNulty: The resources to be made available to local authorities for housing will be a matter for future Spending Reviews.
	The ring fencing of the Housing Revenue Account ensures that rental and other revenue income relating to council dwellings must be spent on matters relating to those dwellings. Within that ring fence, it is a matter for individual local authorities to decide how to prioritise spending in order to provide a better service to council tenants and to ensure the necessary investment in their homes.

Agricultural Buildings (Rates)

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the benefit accruing to agriculture from the exemption of agricultural buildings from payment of local rates.

Nick Raynsford: I have been asked to reply.
	Agricultural land and buildings are exempt from rating under Schedule 5 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. As a result, the Valuation Office Agency, whose responsibility it is to compile and maintain an accurate rating list, makes no assessment of the values of such properties and therefore there is no reliable basis on which to make an estimate.

Decent Homes

Iain Coleman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what estimate he has made at 2002–03 prices of (a) the national total and (b) totals broken down by Government Office region for the investment required to (i) meet the Decent Homes Standard for council tenants' homes and (ii) clear the backlog of housing investment in council tenants' homes, broken down into (A) repairs and (B) improvements.

Tony McNulty: We estimate that at April 2001 there was a backlog of capital works in the council housing sector totalling about #20 billion at 2002 prices— #10.5 billion for repairs and #9.5 billion for improvements. About #16.5 billion of this relates to works within the decent home standard and #3.5 billion for works outside the standard (eg environment improvements, security works etc).
	These estimates are based on the 1996 English House Condition Survey, rolled forward to give a 2001 position. Regional estimates of the total backlog, based on applying the regional distribution from local authority Housing Revenue Account Business Plans to this national total, are given in the table.
	
		
			 GO Region Estimated Backlog at 2001 (2002 Prices) 
			  Cost (#mn) % of Total 
		
		
			 North East 1,300 6% 
			 North West 3,100 16% 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 2,700 14% 
			 East Midlands 1,200 6% 
			 West Midlands 2,500 12% 
			 East of England 1,100 5% 
			 London 6,100 31% 
			 South East 1,200 6% 
			 South West 900 5% 
			 England total #20,000 100% 
		
	
	Note:
	Components may not sum to total due to rounding
	The 2001 English House Condition Survey will provide more up-to-date estimates early in the New Year.

Housing Receipts

Iain Coleman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will set out for each year from 1997–98, and including estimates for 2002–03, (a) the totals of set-aside housing receipts and (b) the totals of housing basic credits approvals, broken down by Government Office region;
	(2)  what the national total of (a) set-aside housing receipts and (b) housing basic credit approvals was in each year from 1997–98; and what these figures are estimated to be in 2002–03.

Tony McNulty: (a) The total of set-aside housing receipts in England in #thousands was:
	
		
			  2001–02 2000–01 1999–2000 1998–99 1997–98 
		
		
			 North East 48,118 175,552 71,998 37,608 46,470 
			 Yorkshire & Humber 107,662 84,721 76,174 57,732 64,675 
			 East Midlands 120,856 74,441 122,541 84,556 54,721 
			 East 213,366 118,771 160,950 98,758 106,412 
			 London 411,002 423,441 343,059 220,531 239,621 
			 South East 123,936 246,904 245,199 146,451 160,849 
			 South West 64,378 109,344 127,067 199,148 94,088 
			 West Midlands 158,187 185,573 168,061 150,684 84,033 
			 North West 114,497 206,833 162,130 89,143 91,706 
			 National Total 1,362,002 1,625,580 1,477,180 1,084,610 942,575 
		
	
	Note:
	The estimated national total for 2002–03 is #2.5bn. No estimates are made of the figure by Government Office region.
	(b) The amount in #thousands, for England, of Housing Annual Capital Guidelines (credit approvals plus the allowance (#199 million in recent years) made for capital funded from authorities' useable receipts) was:
	
		
			  2002–2003 2001–2002 2000–2001 1999–2000 1998–1999 1997–1998 
		
		
			 North East 47,036 43,756 130,369 77,332 73,707 49,811 
			 Yorkshire & Humber 77,015 70,826 201,255 117,701 109,207 77,516 
			 East Midlands 61,273 58,095 140,758 73,359 69,393 48,967 
			 East of England 61,066 55,381 142,372 82,762 79,803 56,144 
			 London 322,163 309,722 601,712 353,945 329,377 247,426 
			 South East 92,752 85,582 175,966 107,193 100,143 75,764 
			 South West 54,920 52,163 113,525 69,120 67,746 50,127 
			 West Midlands 99,533 95,559 227,451 125,165 121,444 87,069 
			 North West 128,997 111,389 285,195 172,427 162,272 109,822 
			 National Total 944,756 882,473 2,018,603 1,179,004 1,113,092 802,646 
		
	
	These figures include the separate Capital Receipts Initiative funding provided in 1997–98 to 1999–2000.
	The reductions between 2000–01 and 2001–02 reflects the switch of funds into the new Major Repairs Allowance, paid as part of housing subsidy, to fund capital works to maintain council housing.

Revenue Grant Distribution

Ann Winterton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many representations he has received from residents of (a) Cheshire and (b) Congleton constituency registering their response to his Department's review of revenue grant distribution; when he expects to announce his decision following his Department's consultation; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Sir Nicholas Winterton) on 5 November 2002, Official Report.

Shropshire Waste Plan

Paul Marsden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the objectors to sites SA 22 and 23 in the Shropshire Waste Plan produced by Shropshire County Council; and if he will place copies of the objections in the Library.

Tony McNulty: There were 97 objectors to Policy SA 22 and 90 objectors to Policy SA 23 of the Deposit Draft of the Shropshire Waste Local Plan 2002–2014. It is the responsibility of Shropshire County Council to consider these objections and to take the plan through all its stages. Information on the objectors and the details of each objection are not held in Government. Shropshire County Council intend to place all the objections to this Waste Local Plan on their website, www.shropshire-cc.gov.uk. In the meantime, they can be viewed by prior appointment at the Community and Environment Department, Shropshire County Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury (Telephone: 01743 252595).

Renewable Energy

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the steps which he is taking to promote building integrated renewables, with special reference to solar thermal and solar photovoltaics in new housing developments through the planning process.

Tony McNulty: We will be issuing a draft Planning Policy Statement note on Renewable Energy and Planning for consultation at the turn of the year. This updated PPS revises PPG22. It will include guidance on including integrated renewables in developments such as housing. Also, through our planning policies for housing we encourage local authorities to adopt policies which promote the energy efficiency of new housing where possible.

Seaside and Country Homes Scheme

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 283W, on the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme, if he will commission research into (a) the capacity of seaside and country areas in South East England for an expansion of the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme and (b) the likely popularity and take up of the Scheme.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is leading in the procurement of a new service to improve mobility, especially labour mobility for social housing tenants, throughout the UK. As part of the procurement of this service (currently going under the working name HEMS—Housing and Employment Mobility Services) the operation and extent of the Seaside and Country Homes scheme is being reviewed. We expect to award the HEMS contract in March 2003 and for delivery of the new service to begin in July 2003.

Seaside and Country Homes Scheme

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will place in the Library the location of the dwellings used under the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme.

Tony McNulty: The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.
	
		
			 County Location Bung. Flat Total by County 
		
		
			 Berkshire Lambourne 27  27 
			 Cambridgeshire March 32  32 
			 Cornwall Illogan 45   
			  Perranporth  40 85 
			 Devon Exmouth 31   
			  Plymstock 38  69 
			 Dorset Burton 35   
			  Gillingham 40   
			  Christchurch 42   
			  Poole  22  
			  Swanage  24 163 
			 Essex Brightlingsea 40   
			  Burnham on Crouch 40   
			  Clacton 24 8  
			  Clacton on Sea 39   
			  Dovercourt 82 40  
			  Elmstead Market 26   
			  Frinton 34   
			  Great Clacton 51   
			  Holland on Sea 18   
			  St Osyth 86   
			  Walton on the Naze 68  556 
			 Gloucestershire Winchcombe 39  39 
			 Hampshire Blackfield 18   
			  Botley 44   
			  Emsworth  32  
			  Lee on Solent 40   
			  Lordswood 40   
			  New Milton  16  
			  Ringwood  26  
			  West End 42  258 
			 Isle of Wight Cowes  17  
			  Newport 50   
			  Ryde  24  
			  Wootton 40 6 137 
			 Kent Birchington 12   
			  Canterbury 30   
			  Deal 38   
			  Faversham 36   
			  Folkestone 48 47  
			  Herne Bay 14 41  
			  Margate 48   
			  Ramsgate 54 12  
			  Walmer 82   
			  Westgate on Sea  22 484 
			 Lincolnshire Skegness 80  80 
			 Norfolk Cromer  32  
			  Diss 24 12  
			  Gorleston  22  
			  Hunstanton 41   
			  North Walsham 41  172 
			 Shropshire Shrewsbury 34  34 
			 Somerset Bridgwater 32   
			  Highbridge 58   
			  Minehead 67   
			  Taunton 40   
			  Weston Super Mare  41  
			  Worle 40  255 
			 Suffolk Beccles 20 6  
			  Felixstowe  29  
			  Lowestoft 35 35  
			  Oulton Broad  36  
			  Stowmarket 40  201 
			 Sussex Angmering 35   
			  Bognor Regis 40 8  
			  Bracklesham Bay  28  
			  Brighton  48  
			  East Preston  34  
			  Hailsham  12  
			  Hastings  41  
			  Littlehampton 38 38  
			  Peacehaven  36  
			  Rustington  22  
			  Saltdean  10  
			  Selsey 13 10  
			  Telscombe Cliffs  26  
			  Worthing 24 102 565 
			 Wiltshire Warminster 38   
			  Westbury 40  78 
			  
			 Grand Total  2253 1005 1258

Housing (Overcrowding)

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what legislation is in force relating to overcrowding standards in housing; and when each provision came into force.

Tony McNulty: The current overcrowding standards are set out in Part X of the Housing Act 1985. The Room Standard is breached if two people of opposite sexes who are not living together as husband and wife must sleep in the same room. The Space Standard specifies the number of people who may sleep in a dwelling according to the number of rooms and their floor area. Both standards must be met. The 1985 Act is a consolidating Act. The standards were carried forward from the Housing Act 1957, which itself consolidates those which had originated in the Housing Act 1935.
	In respect of houses in multiple occupation, local authorities also have powers under section 358 of the 1985 Act to serve an overcrowding notice where they are satisfied that there are, or there may become, an excessive number of people living in a property having regard to the number of rooms available. Such notice must specify the number of people who can occupy the property. Contravention of the notice is a criminal offence.

Housing (Overcrowding)

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 284W, on overcrowding, if it is his policy (a) to end the practice of counting living rooms as rooms available to sleep in, (b) to end the practice of not counting babies under the age of one and (c) to lower the age at which males and females should no longer be expected to have to sleep in the same room for the purposes of determining overcrowding.

Tony McNulty: We are considering whether overcrowding is best tackled through a modern set of standards—updating the present legislative framework—or through the new Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which we hope to introduce as a replacement for the housing fitness standard when Parliamentary time allows. It will be possible to assess and tackle hazards from crowding and space under HHSRS, but we would need to be satisfied that the problem is one that can be dealt with through this process alone.

Local Authority Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of spending by (a) Hampshire County Council, (b) Fareham Borough Council, (c) English county councils and (d) English district councils is to be financed by council tax payers in 2002–03.

Nick Raynsford: Local authorities budgeted to finance the following percentages of revenue expenditure from the council tax in the year 2002–03:
	
		
			  Income from council tax as a percentage (%) of spending 
		
		
			 Hampshire County Council 33 
			 Fareham Borough Council 41 
			 English County Councils 32 
			 English District Councils 40 
		
	
	Source:
	2002–03 Budget Estimate (RA) Return

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what public consultations have been commenced by his Department in each month since 10 September; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Christopher Leslie: Full details and the texts of public consultation exercises launched by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister since 10 September 2002 are set out on our website (www.odpm.gov.uk) in the section entitled ''What's New''.

Supporting People Programme

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the impact of the introduction of Supporting People; and whether a community care assessment will be required for residents living in a leasehold sheltered housing scheme in order for its Department to meet the costs of its scheme manager and allied arrangements attributed as ''having related support'' as part of their income support.

Tony McNulty: The Supporting People programme, which will be operational from 1 April 2003, will improve the quality of housing related support services for vulnerable people. It will provide an integrated policy and funding framework for the comprehensive review of support needs in a local area and for planning how those needs will be met.
	Those leaseholders in sheltered housing schemes who currently receive Income Support need to obtain a community care assessment in order for the costs of support to continue to be met. After 1 April, these costs will be paid from the Supporting People grant. Those people who receive Income Support and who move into leasehold housing schemes after 1 April will not need a community care assessment in order to receive Supporting People money. Local authorities are currently mapping providers of support services and, after 1 April, leaseholders will be eligible for Supporting People money if they receive Income Support and are living in a scheme that has been mapped by local authorities as providing support services.
	Guidance on how the Supporting People programme will apply to leaseholders was published in September and is available on the Supporting People knowledge web at: http://www.spkweb.org.uk/search/search—docdisplay.asp?doc—id=10996

Urban Regeneration

Howard Flight: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to encourage urban regeneration.

Tony McNulty: The Government's policies for urban regeneration were set out in the Urban White Paper ''Our Towns and Cities: the Future—Delivering an urban renaissance'' which was published in November 2000. Significant achievements have been made since then. My right Hon. Friend hosted an Urban Summit in Birmingham on 31 October and 1 November to review progress and identify what more needs to be done. Key messages from the Summit will be fed into the long term plan for sustainable communities which the Deputy Prime Minister will announce to the House in January 2003.

Urban Regeneration

Howard Flight: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many of the recommendations by Lord Rogers of Riverside's Urban Task Force have been implemented.

Tony McNulty: The Government have endorsed the principles behind all of the recommendations in Lord Roger's report and in the majority of cases have accepted them in full or in part. Our response to each recommendation was set out in the Annexe to the Urban White Paper XOur Towns and Cities: the Future—Delivering an urban renaissance" which was published in November 2000. Significant progress has been made in delivering the measures laid out in the Urban White Paper. An Implementation Plan is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website.

Fly Tipping

Andrew Love: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost of fly tipping to local authorities in (a) Greater London and (b) England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply
	The Government do not hold any central data on the cost of fly tipping to local authorities. However, the Institute of Public Finance has produced a report entitled XWaste Collection and Disposal Statistics 2000–01 Actuals". The report states that in 2000–01, fly tipping resulted in costs to the waste collection authorities of #3,859,000 in the London Boroughs, #1,178,000 in the Metropolitan Districts and #3,941,000 in the Non Metropolitan Districts.
	This report is available on the internet at: http://www.ipf.co.uk/sis/environmental/wastemanagement/2000–01/commentary.pdf.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Moscow Theatre Siege

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to establish whether the gas used by the Russian Government to end the Moscow theatre siege contained neuro-paralytic agents.

Mike O'Brien: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 4 November 2002.

EU Documents (Security)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions there have been breaches of security with respect to security covered EU documents in the last three years.

Denis MacShane: I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

Consular Assistance (Tourist Resorts)

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many requests have been received for consular assistance during the last 12 months in (a) Tenerife, (b) Corfu, (c) Majorca, (d) Benidorm, (e) Malaga and (f) Ibiza; how many of these were as a result of UK visitors being arrested by the police; and, of those arrested, how many have led to court appearances.

Mike O'Brien: The number of registered requests requiring consular assistance during the last 12 months are set out below. However, some consular work involves providing various types of routine information to British nationals. These requests are not always recorded.
	
		Consular Assistance Requests Oct 2001—Sept 2002
		
			  Consular Assistance Detentions Notes 
		
		
			 a) Tenerife 4000 303 The Consulate receives more than 10,000 visitors per year. 
			 b) Corfu 1100 48 The Consulate receives more than 3,300 calls per year. 
			 c) Majorca 1800 197  
			 d) Alicante 1100 302 The Consulate receives 6,000 written enquiries each year. 
			 Benidorm does not keep separate statistics: requests for assistance are channelled through the Consulate in Alicante, which requests the assistance of the Honorary Vice-Consul in Benidorm as required. 
			  
			 e) Malaga 1150 240 The Consulate receives 27,000 written enquiries each year. 
			 Figures for Malaga include Cadiz, Seville and Granada. 
			  
			 f) Ibiza 3000 135 The Consulate receives 3,000 written enquiries each year. 
		
	
	We do not keep statistics on court appearances.

European Commission

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those cases over the past 10 years where a staff member of the European Commission has been suspended; on what grounds; and what was the nature of the final settlement of the case.

Denis MacShane: We have requested this information from the Commission. I will write to the hon. Member with a full reply as soon as this is received.

Departmental Staff (Ethnic Minorities)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to increase the level of representations of black and Asian people in his Department.

Mike O'Brien: The FCO is determined to increase the level of representation of ethnic minorities. But there is no ''quick fix'' without using positive discrimination, which is unlawful. We continue to seek and attract high calibre candidates from all sectors of the community. We use targeted marketing techniques to advertise career opportunities as widely as possible and encourage applications from black and Asian people. Our objective is to ensure that 10 per cent. of recruits to the Diplomatic Service are from minority ethnic backgrounds. Encouragingly, in 2002 we exceeded this target. 15 per cent. of new entrants at policy level were from black and Asian backgrounds.

(Over-50s) Recruitment

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of new recruits to his Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

Mike O'Brien: The percentage of new recruits to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the past two years aged 50 and over is as follows;
	1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 – 9.3 per cent.
	1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 – 10.5 per cent.

Deaths (UK Nationals)

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many deaths of UK nationals have been notified to his Department (a) in Greece and (b) the island of Rhodes in the last 12 months.

Mike O'Brien: There were a total of 116 deaths of UK nationals in Greece that were notified to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the last 12 months. Sixteen of those deaths were reported from the Island of Rhodes.

Burma (International Aid)

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department has collated regarding the Thai authorities' destruction of international aid destined for persecuted groups in Burma; and if he will make a statement concerning the Government's response to this situation.

Mike O'Brien: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not been shown any evidence of destruction by the Thai authorities of international aid destined for persecuted groups in Burma.

Singapore

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Singapore regarding the imprisonment of the leader of the Singapore Democratic Party, Dr. Chee Soon Juan.

Mike O'Brien: None. Dr. Chee was imprisoned for failure to pay a fine imposed by the Singapore Courts in connection with an offence under the Public Entertainment Act.

Singapore

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has held with the Government of Singapore regarding freedom of speech and human rights issues.

Mike O'Brien: We raise these issues with the Singaporean authorities whenever the opportunity arises. The former Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw), did so during his visit to Singapore in May this year.

Child Access

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases of prevention of access to children of British Nationals living in Germany have been reported to each of the British consulates in Germany in the last five years; and in what proportion of these cases the problems have been solved.

Mike O'Brien: During the last five years, twenty three British parents have contacted our Consulates in Germany about difficulties in securing access to children in Germany where the other parent has custody. Of these cases, we are aware that: two have been resolved; in fifteen cases the parents have had no further contact with the Consulate, so we are not aware of progress; six are ongoing and the relevant post in Germany continues to monitor the case.

Western Sahara

Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination; and what steps it is taking to ensure Morocco does not obstruct the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 5 November 2002
	The British Government support a just and durable outcome to the Western Sahara dispute. We support the position of the Secretary General and his Personal Envoy, James Baker, to find a just and lasting solution to the situation in Western Sahara. The United Nations Secretary General noted in his report to the Security Council on Western Sahara on 19 February 2002 that
	''Despite their assertions to the contrary, the parties have not been willing to fully cooperate with the United Nations either to implement the settlement plan or to negotiate a political solution that will bring about an early, durable and agreed resolution of their dispute over Western Sahara''.
	On this basis we have called on both parties to the dispute—Morocco, the Polisario Front and Algeria—to show flexibility in the search for a long term solution, which at this point seems stalled by their mutually exclusive objectives.

Export Licences

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what definition of internal repression is used in considering applications for export licences.

Mike O'Brien: All export licence applications are assessed on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria announced by my right hon. Friend for the Member Neath (Mr. Hain) on 26 October 2000, Official Report, 199–203. Criterion 2 of the Consolidated criteria sets out the Government's definition of internal repression as:
	''Internal repression includes, inter alia, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment; summary, arbitrary or extra-judicial executions; disappearances; arbitrary detentions; and other major suppression or violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms as set out in relevant international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.''

Export Licences

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what definition of internal repression is used in considering applications for export licences.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr (Adam Price) today (UIN 79755).

European Union

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how United Kingdom citizens may obtain copies of the draft report of the Convention on the future of Europe; and what steps he is taking to publicise the document.

Denis MacShane: The Convention has not produced an overall draft report at this stage. But all the Convention's documents are available to the public on the Convention's Website (http://european-convention.eu.int). This includes Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's preliminary draft constitutional treaty, as well as the final recommendations of those Working Groups that have concluded their work.

European Union

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards qualified majority voting for deciding when national parliaments should be allowed to vote on EU proposals.

Denis MacShane: The Convention Working Group on Subsidiarity has proposed the creation of a new mechanism to enable national parliaments to monitor compliance with subsidiarity. The full text is available on the Convention's website (http://european-convention.eu.int).
	This Government supports the Working Group's conclusions. We believe that national parliaments should review each new Commission legislative proposal. If a majority of national parliaments judged that a proposal infringed subsidiarity, the Commission should be required to re-examine its approach.

Ministerial Meeting (Indian Foreign Minister)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with Mr. Yashwant Sinha, the Indian Foreign Minister.

Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Yashwant Sinha, the Indian Foreign Minister, in London on 31 October. They discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues. They agreed that the bilateral relationship is in excellent shape, and reiterated our joint commitment to developing further cooperation in line with the provisions of the New Delhi Declaration signed by the two Prime Ministers in January. The Foreign Secretary also reiterated the UK's support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary welcomed the recent successful Jammu and Kashmir elections and discussed with Mr. Sinha how tensions in the region could be further reduced.

North Korea

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contributions the United Kingdom has made through the EU to the North Korean light water nuclear reactor programme; and whether the United Kingdom was represented at the foundation laying ceremony in August.

Mike O'Brien: The light water reactor project, established under the 1994 Agreed Framework, forms part of a package of measures introduced to bring DPRK into line with its international obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The UK contributions, made through the European Atomic Energy Commission, amount to a total of #10.64 million (up to the end of Financial year 2001–02. This year's contribution has not yet been made).
	The European Commission represented all EU Member States at the foundation laying ceremony.

Ascension Island

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on democratic development on Ascension Island.

Mike O'Brien: The residents of Ascension Island voted overwhelmingly in August this year to establish an Island Council. This was a key step towards a democratic system of government, the first in the island's history. The election of Councillors took place on 1 November, and has resulted in a broad cross-section of the island's population being represented on the Island Council. We hope that the Island Council will work closely with the Administrator and the Governor for the long-term benefit of Ascension Island.

Sudan

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the application for an export licence for the supply of two de-mining vests to the United Nations Office for Project Services in Sudan.

Bill Rammell: The Government recently approved an application for a licence to export two de-mining vests for the United Nations Office for Project Services in Sudan. Although the demining vests are on the Military List, they will be used to open roads and increase the cost effectiveness of the UN relief operation which is working to alleviate the suffering in Sudan. This decision does not affect the Government's continued support for the EU common position on arms exports to Sudan.

Council of the European Union

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for November and major European Union events for the period from 30 November to May 2003.

Denis MacShane: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 NOVEMBER 2002 
			  
			 4 Brussels Culture Council 
			 5 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 6 Brussels Meeting of the Prasidium 
			 7 Brussels Health Council 
			 7–8 Brussels Convention Plenary 
			 11 Brussels EU—Russia Summit 
			 11–12 Brussels Education, Youth & Culture Council 
			 14–15 Brussels Internal Market, Consumer Affairs & Tourism Council 
			 18–19 Brussels General Affairs & External Relations 
			 council (+ Defence) 
			 21 Brussels Meeting of the Prasidium  
			 21–22 Brussels Aarhus—Informal Sports Ministers 
			 25–26 Brussels Budget Meeting 
			 25–26 Brussels Industry & Energy Council 
			 28 Brussels Meeting of the Prasidium 
			 28–29 Brussels Justice & home Affairs & Civil protection Council 
			 29–30 Copenhagen Enhanced European Co-operation (Ministerial) 
			 DECEMBER 
			 2 Brussels Meeting On Macro Economic Dialogue (Ministerial Troika) 
			 3 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 2–3 Brussels Employment, Social Policy, Health & Consumer Affairs Council 
			 4 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 5 Brussels Transport & Telecom Council 
			 6 Brussels Transport & Telecom Council 
			 9 Brussels General Affairs Council 
			 10 Brussels Environment Council 
			 12–15 Copenhagen European Council 
			 16–17 Brussels Fisheries Council 
			 19 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 20 Brussels Justice And Home Affairs & Civil Protection Council 
			 20–21 Brussels Convention Plenary-External Action and Defence working group conclusions 
			 JANUARY 
			 9 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 9 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council (to be confirmed) 
			 16 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 20 Brussels EUROGROUP (evening) 
			 20 Brussels Convention Plenary 
			 20–21 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council 
			 21 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 24 Nafplion Employment Council (Ministerial Informal) 
			 27–28 Brussels General Affairs & External Relations Council 
			 28 Brussels EU-ASEAN Ministerial 
			 30 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 FEBRUARY 
			 5 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 6–7 Brussels Convention Plenary 
			 10–11 Brussels AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES Council (to be confirmed) 
			 13 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 17 Brussels EUROGROUP (evening) 
			 18 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 20 Brussels EDUCATION, YOUTH & CULTURE Council (to be confirmed) 
			 22 Thessaloniki Energy Council (Ministerial Informal) 
			 24–25 Brussels General Affairs & External Relations Council Agriculture & Fisheries 
			 26 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 27–28 Brussels Convention Plenary 
			 27–28 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs Council 
			 28 Brussels Employment, Social Policy, Health & Consumer Affairs Council 
			 MARCH 
			 1–2 Ioannina Informal Education 
			 3 Brussels Competitiveness Council 
			 4 Brussels Environment Council 
			 6 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 6 Luxembourg Employment, Social Policy, Health & Consumer Affairs Council 
			 6 Luxembourg EUROGROUP (evening) 
			 7 Luxembourg ECOFIN 
			 7 Luxembourg Transport, Telecom & Energy Council 
			 13 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 14–15 Athens (Informal Defence Meeting) 
			 17–18 Brussels Convention Plenary 
			 17–18 Luxembourg Agriculture & Fisheries Council 
			 18–19 Luxembourg General Affairs & External Relations Council 
			 21 Brussels European Council 
			 27 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 27 Veria Justice and Home Affairs Council (Ministerial Informal) 
			 27–28 Luxembourg Transport, Telecom & Energy Council) 
			 28 Athens EU-Rio Group, EU-MERCOSUR 
			 28–29 Veria Informal Justice & Home Affairs (Veria) 
			 31 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council (to be confirmed) 
			 APRIL 
			 2 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 3–4 Brussels Convention Plenary 
			 4 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs 
			 4–6 Hania (Crete) Informal ECOFIN (Ministerial) 
			 5 Lisbon Europe—Africa Summit 
			 5 Ioannina Ministerial Meeting on Education (Informal) 
			 10 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 11–13 Chania ECOFIN (Informal) 
			 14 Brussels General Affairs & External Relations 
			 14 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries 
			 16 Athens European Conference 
			 16 Athens Signature Of The Accession (Provisional Date) 
			 23 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 24–25 Brussels Convention Plenary 
			 MAY 
			 2–4 (Greece) Gymnich (Informal Foreign Ministers) 
			 5 Athens Informal Environment (Ministerial) 
			 5–6 Brussels Education, Youth & Culture Council (To be confirmed) 
			 8 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 12–13 Brussels Informal Agriculture (Ministerial) 
			 12 Brussels EUROGRUP 
			 13 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 14 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 14 Brussels Transport, Telecom & Energy Council 
			 15–16 Brussels Convention Plenary 
			 16 Brussels EU—ACP Ministerial 
			 16–17 Halkidiki Informal Regional Policy (Ministerial) 
			 16–18 Athens (Cruise) Informal Transport & Merchant Marine (Ministerial) 
			 17 Brussels EU—W. Balkans (Zagreb Process) 
			 19 Brussels General Affairs & External Relations (+ Defence) 
			 20 Brussels General Affairs & External Relations 
			 22 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 24 Thessaloniki Informal Culture (Ministerial) 
			 26–27 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council 
			 26–27 Athens EUROMED Conference (Mid Term Ministerial) 
			 27 Brussels Environment Council 
			 28 Brussels Meeting of the Praesidium 
			 30–31 Brussels Convention Plenary 
			 31 St. Petersburg EU—Russia Summit

Malaysia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Malaysia concerning the operation of the Internal Security Act and its compliance with international legal norms; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: EU Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Kuala Lumpur raised this issue with the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Syed Hamid, on 17 May 2001. We also regularly express our concerns about the use of the Internal Security Act with the Malaysian High Commission in London.

Malaysia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations have been made to the Government of Malaysia concerning the imprisonment of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Our views on Anwar Ibrahim's continuing imprisonment were expressed in an EU statement of 12 July 2002. That statement recalled our deep concern about the fairness of the trial and expressed disappointment that the verdict had been upheld on final appeal. Our High Commissioner has also discussed this issue with Malaysian ministers.

National Missile Defence

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings have been held with the US Deparments of (a) State and (b) Defense on the United Kingdom's contribution to national missile defence; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Missile defence issues are discussed regularly in the course of official UK/US contacts. It remains the case that there has been no formal US request for the use of UK facilities for missile defence purposes. If a request is received, the Government will consider it. But the Government would only agree to use of UK facilities if satisfied that the overall security of the UK and NATO would be enhanced.

Bermuda

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to ensure that the Boundary Commission in Bermuda has properly discharged its duty to invite representations from the public relating to proposals to change Bermuda's electoral system.

Mike O'Brien: The Constituency Boundaries Commission invited the public to express views and attend meetings through widely advertised notices in the press and on the radio in Bermuda. Everyone had an opportunity to attend. Meetings were held in four different places, including the capital Hamilton.

Sikhs

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations have been received by Her Majesty's Government from the Indian Government concerning the separate ethnic monitoring of British Sikhs in the United Kingdom.

Mike O'Brien: We have not received any representations from the Indian Government regarding the separate ethnic monitoring of British Sikhs.

Zimbabwe

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the sale by the wife of the Zimbabwe National Army Commander, of crops seized from Chakoma Estates in Goromonji to United Kingdom supermarkets; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Mrs. Chiwenga's involvement with Chakoma Estates has been reported in both the UK and Zimbabwe media. We have no additional information about the sale of the company's produce to UK supermarkets.

Anglo-French Summit

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  which country first proposed an Anglo-French Summit to take place in the last three months of this year;
	(2)  when a place for an Anglo-French summit in the last three months of this year was agreed;
	(3)  when and by whom it was suggested that an Anglo-French summit scheduled to take place in the last three months of this year should be postponed or cancelled; and if he will make a statement on current arrangements on the summit.

Denis MacShane: UK-French Summits have taken place roughly annually for over 25 years. The venue alternates between UK and France. It was France's turn to host this year and consequently for them to propose a date. They originally proposed 3 December, but have since postponed to allow more time for preparation. We look forward to receiving a new date.

UK Consulates (California)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact on the (a) diplomatic and (b) business role of the United Kingdom Consulates in California on the creation of five separate regional development agency offices in that state.

Bill Rammell: There have been no formal assessments of the impact on the Consulates in California of the local Regional Development Agency (RDA) offices. However, if an RDA wishes to open a new (or expand an existing) overseas office, it is required to present a business case for prior approval by my noble Friend the Baroness Symons, and by the Consulate General.
	Although the RDAs have no diplomatic remit, their presence can strengthen the FCO's public diplomacy effort, for example, when issues arise concerning a particular area of the UK (e.g. Northern Ireland).
	Our Consulates in California have a good relationship with the RDAs, and integrate their business activities where practicable. To ensure there is no ''double handling'', the inward investment activity of the RDAs is regulated by the Committee on Overseas Promotion Guidelines, which require them to notify the relevant Post in advance before visiting companies within the Post's area of responsibility.

Charter of Fundamental Rights

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to make the Charter of Fundamental Rights enforceable in law.

Denis MacShane: The Charter is a political declaration. The Government strongly supports it. People need to know their rights and the EU institutions need to respect them.
	The Government has always maintained that there are legal and practical problems linked to giving the text as its stands legal status. The Laeken European Council mandated the participants in the Future of Europe Convention to consider the Charter's status. We have worked hard in the Convention's Charter Working Group to find solutions to the issues of legal certainty that would need to be resolved before the UK could consider a change in the Charter's status.
	In looking at the Charter's status, two key aspects of the existing text must be maintained: that the Charter is addressed to the Institutions and the Member States only to the extent they are implementing Union law; and that the Charter creates no new power or tasks for the EC and does not modify powers or tasks defined by the Treaties.
	The Government welcomes the Working Group's final report, including some of the technical amendments the group recommends, as a basis for further work on the Charter's status. Any decision on the future status of the Charter will be taken by Heads of Government at an IGC.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

European Scrutiny

Anne McIntosh: To ask the President of the Council, what plans he has to bring forward proposals to give further powers to Select Committees to take evidence on matters relating to European policy and European draft legislative proposals; and if he will make a statement.

Robin Cook: I refer the hon. Lady to the Government's Observations on the Thirtieth Report of the European Scrutiny Committee 2001–02, European Scrutiny in the Commons (Second Special Report of that Committee 2001–02, HC 1256), particularly paragraphs 6 and 34–36. Select Committees have power already to take evidence on matters relating to European policy and European draft legislative proposals; and the Liaison Committee's recent guidance to select committees on core objectives and tasks specifically asks them to examine policy proposals from the European Commission.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Disability Living Allowance

Valerie Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome applied for disability living allowance in 2001; how many were (a) successful in their application and (b) refused; and how many of those who were refused were later awarded disability living allowance on appeal.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not available but such information we can give is shown in the table:
	
		Number of new recipients of Disability Living Allowance with main disabling condition as learning difficulties or severely mentally impaired between November 2000 and November 2001 -- Thousands
		
			  Learning Difficulties Severely mentally impaired 
		
		
			 Great Britain 13.7 0.1* 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Figures marked* are under 500 and therefore are subject to a high degree of sampling variation and should only be used as a guide to the current situation.
	3. We do not have autism listed as a disability, therefore, figures for people with Kanner type autism are most likely to be classed under severely mentally impaired, and people with Asperger's Syndrome could be classified under learning difficulties, although these figures will also include other people.
	4. New recipients figures are people in receipt of DLA at November 2001 but not November 2000, there will be a small additional number of new recipients in the year to November 2001 whose DLA award had ceased before 30 November 2001. Therefore, they will not have been present on either our November 2000 or 2001 extract.
	Source:
	Figures taken from the AA/DLA computer system as at 30 November each year sample.

Private Pensions

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with (a) the pensions industry (b) employers and (c) trades unions to ensure that the public is better informed about their future pension provisions.

Ian McCartney: holding reply 21 October 2002
	The Government are committed to ensuring that individuals have access to better information to improve awareness of the importance of retirement planning. We have discussed these issues with a range of pensions representative organisations, such as the members of the Joint Working Group on Occupational Pensions and the Financial Services Authority, as part of our regular dialogue on pensions issues. We have a pension education strategy which includes:
	Raising awareness of retirement planning through a dedicated publicity campaign;
	Providing more information to people about their pension provision through combined pension forecasts; and
	Testing new ways to get information out to the public, for example through interactive digital television.
	Following the Prime Minister's statement at the TUC conference, Ministers have met with both the TUC and the CBI to discuss a range of pensions issues and officials are continuing the constructive dialogue. In addition, the Department of Work and Pensions liasies with a range of organisations on an ongoing basis, to consider ways to improve the provision of pensions information to consumers. For example, in relation to the work on the combined pension forecast we have worked closely with a range of employers such as Sainsburys and Prudential.

Private Pensions

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many final salary pension scheme closures there were over the last five years.

Ian McCartney: I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with the information requested and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

HSE Inspections

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of the recent change in the annual number of Health and Safety Executive inspections.

Nick Brown: There was a fall in the number of preventive inspections between 1996–97 to 2001–02 from 116,652 to 75,237. Over the same period, there was a 35 per cent increase in the number of investigations. Investigations take much longer than inspections and so it is inevitable that more investigations mean fewer inspections. HSE has also taken action to increase their other preventive work including seminars, conferences and awareness days.

HSE Inspections

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the level of investigations by the Health and Safety Executive into deaths and major injuries of (a) the public and (b) workers.

Nick Brown: The data are not available in the format requested. However, incidents that meet HSE's incident selection criteria are investigated; the criteria are in the public domain and were agreed only after thorough consultation with all interested parties.

HSE Inspections

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the levels of prosecution following investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into deaths and major injuries of (a) the public and (b) workers.

Nick Brown: The data are not available in the format requested.
	However, all the Health and Safety Executive's decisions about taking enforcement action are made in accordance with the principles contained in the Health and Safety Commission's Enforcement Policy Statement (EPS).
	In addition, the HSE has to ensure that proposed enforcement action meets the requirements of the Code for Crown Prosecutors in England and Wales, and the Prosecutors Code in Scotland. These require that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of obtaining a conviction, and that any proposed prosecution would be in the public interest.

HSE Inspections

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many accidents were (a) reported to and (b) investigated by the Field Operations division of the HSE in (i) 1998 99, (ii) 1999–2000, (iii) 2000–01 and (iv) 2001–02; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: The following table shows the number of injuries to employees, self-employed people and members of the public as reported to HSE's Field Operations Directorate and the total number of incidents investigated, 1998–99/2001–02.
	
		
			 Year Injuries Reported Incidents Investigated 
		
		
			 1998–1999 141,549 7,805 
			 1999–2000 141,507 9,754 
			 2000–2001 138,312 14,279 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. ''Injuries'' includes all fatal, major and over-3-day injuries.
	2. Injuries reported as required by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995.
	3. ''Incidents'' includes injuries, diseases, dangerous occurrences and gas safety incidents.
	The data for investigations are not available in the form requested. The data for 2001–02 are not available as the information is subject to exemption 10 under the National Statistics Code of Practice pending the publication of HSE Statistics in December 2002

HSE Inspections

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what plans he has to increase the proportion of (a) dangerous occurrences and (b) major injuries investigated by the Health and Safety Executive;
	(2) What assessment he has made of the reasons underlying differences between Health and Safety Executive areas in the level of (a) investigation, (b) inspection and (c) prosecution.

Nick Brown: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether housing benefit will continue to be paid four weeks in arrears in the housing benefit reform pilot areas.

Malcolm Wicks: Yes.

Housing Benefit

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report made to him on housing benefit at Swale Borough Council.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Lawrie Quinn) on 22 October 2002, Official Report, cols 136-38W.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how he will indentify those vulnerable people he intends to safeguard in the housing benefit reform pilot areas; and what form these safeguards will take.

Malcolm Wicks: Tenants in the pilot areas will have their rent paid to them rather than to their landlord. However, we appreciate that not all tenants will be able to cope with this responsibility. For this reason safeguards will be in place to ensure that landlords and vulnerable tenants are protected.
	For example, as now, where it is considered appropriate, the pathfinder authority will be able to make the first payment of benefit direct to the landlord. And in cases where 8 weeks' rent arrears have built up, payments of Housing Benefit will be made to the landlord. In addition, certain groups of vulnerable tenants—such as those living in hostels—will not be included in the standard local housing allowance scheme.
	The details of the new scheme will be set out in regulations and we shall be consulting on these in due course.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how mobility within and between neighbourhoods of differing housing quality and cost will be monitored in the housing benefit reform pilot areas; whether the pre-1996 housing benefit restrictions are being repealed in the housing benefit reform pilot areas; and how much he estimates the gainers in the housing benefit reform pilot areas will benefit;
	(2)  how he plans to measure the impact on the supply of quality housing in the housing benefit reform pilot areas;
	(3)  how he plans to monitor if rent is being negotiated in the housing benefit pilot areas; and if he will monitor the effectiveness of (a) the elderly, (b) lone parents, (c) ethnic minority groups and (d) people with disabilities in such negotiations;
	(4)  if he will review the effect of the operation of non-dependent deductions in the housing benefit reform pilot areas;
	(5)  whether the number and size of localities used to determine local reference rents and standard local housing allowances in the housing benefit reform pilot areas will be monitored following the Rent Offices (Housing Benefit Functions) (Amendment) Order 2001.

Malcolm Wicks: The standard local housing allowance will repeal the pre-1996 Housing Benefit restrictions in pathfinder local authority areas. The benefits to the gainers in the pathfinder areas will depend on the local conditions in those authorities that volunteer to become pathfinders.
	In consultation with independent researchers we are drawing up a rigorous evaluation strategy to monitor the standard local housing allowance pathfinders.
	The evaluation strategy will use a range of research techniques, including both fieldwork with key stakeholders in the pathfinder areas and analysis of administrative and operational data collected by the Department. This will enable us to understand both the impact of the pathfinders and the way in which these impacts have been achieved.

Housing Benefit

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people are receiving housing benefit in respect of private sector tenancies, (a) in Great Britain and (b) each of the smallest geographical units for which figures are available;
	(2)  when the reference rent scheme was introduced; and how many private sector tenants in receipt of housing benefit have been affected by it in each year since it was introduced;
	(3)  how many private sector tenants in receipt of housing benefit whose eligible rent is capped by the reference rent are (a) pensioners, (b) couples with children, (c) childless couples, (d) lone parents and (e) other single people;
	(4)  what proportion of private tenants in receipt of housing benefit have their eligible rent capped by the reference rent system in (a) Great Britain and (b) in each of the smallest geographical units for which figures are available.

Andrew Smith: There are limits and complexities to the available data. I will write to the hon. Member shortly with more detail and place a copy of my letter in the Library

Housing Benefit

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have had their housing benefit restricted to below the level of rent payable as a result of the local reference rent; and how many of those people have only one room for their exclusive use in each of the last five years.

Andrew Smith: There are limits and complexities to the available data. I will write to the hon. Member shortly with more detail and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Housing Benefit

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of Swale borough council's housing benefit procedures on homelessness in Sittingbourne and Sheppey.

Malcolm Wicks: The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) has an ongoing programme of inspections to help councils identify and act on weaknesses in their benefit services, and drive up standards of administration. On 25 September the BFI published a report of an inspection of Swale Borough Council conducted in spring 2002. The report commended Swale for clearing its backlog of benefit claims since the previous BFI inspection in 2000, and for improvements in the council's speed in processing benefit claims.
	Although it made further recommendations to help the council address ongoing weaknesses, we recognise the detrimental effect that delays in processing Housing Benefit claims can have on the ability of tenants to meet their rent responsibilities. That is why a key aim of our strategy for reforming Housing Benefit is to improve its administration.
	However there is no evidence to show a direct link between poor benefit administration and homelessness.

Housing Benefit

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in receipt of housing benefit in the private sector in Wandsworth have to make up the difference between the amount received and the rent stated in their claim.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The table shows the number, the average weekly Housing Benefit payment and the average eligible rent of Housing Benefit recipients living in the deregulated private sector, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, at May 2002. There is no directly comparable information about the actual rents paid by Housing Benefit recipients.
	
		
			 Local Authority Housing Benefit Recipients Average Weekly Eligible Rent Average Weekly Amount Of Housing Benefit Paid 
		
		
			 Wandsworth 2,050 #136.00 #128.20 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The data refer to households claiming Housing Benefit, which may be a single person, a couple or a family. More than one benefit household can live in one property, for example two or more adults in a flat or house share arrangement.
	2. The eligible rent is the amount of rent, which may be met by Housing Benefit after any restrictions applied by the rent officer, taking account of the cost of suitable accommodation in the area.
	3. Figures include cases where Housing Benefit is paid at a reduced rate due to the tenant's income.
	4. The caseload figure is rounded to the nearest ten cases.
	5. The average amounts are rounded to the nearest ten pence.
	6. Figures exclude any extended payment cases
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information Quarterly 100 per cent. statistical enquiry taken in May 2002.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of gainers in the housing benefit reform pilot areas are likely to benefit from the removal of housing benefit restrictions other than the local and single reference rents.

Malcolm Wicks: The proportions for individual pathfinder areas will depend on which local authorities agree to take part in the pilot.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what reasons underlay his decision on the length of the period before landlords can begin receiving housing benefit directly if a tenant gets into arrears; and what assessment he has made of the impact of his decision on possession cases in shorthold tenancies.

Malcolm Wicks: The requirement that housing benefit payments must be made to the landlord if a tenant builds up rent arrears of 8 weeks is an established part of the benefit scheme and is linked to housing law, under which the establishment of at least 8 weeks' worth of rent arrears is a ground for eviction. We intend to maintain this requirement for the standard local housing allowance pathfinder areas, together with other safeguards to protect landlords and vulnerable tenants.
	We have made no assessment of the practical impact of the 8 week limit on possession cases.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on how the rapid re-claim facility for housing benefit will operate; and what targets have been set for the time taken to process these claims.

Malcolm Wicks: We introduced Rapid Reclaim for Housing Benefit recipients on 28 October 2002.
	Rapid Reclaim removes barriers to taking and declaring work by reducing Housing Benefit recipients' concerns about the delays in reclaiming benefit if a job does not last. People of working age can re-claim Housing Benefit within 12 weeks of the end of their last claim, using a shortened, simplified claim form which includes a declaration that their circumstances are the same as when they previously claimed. Providing there have been no significant changes in circumstances, the local authority can process the claim based only on that declaration.
	No clearance time targets have been set for Rapid Reclaim cases over and above the targets and performance indicators that already exist. However, the nature of Rapid Reclaim means that claims will be processed much more quickly than new Housing Benefit claims and that customers will therefore receive their benefit sooner.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what means information will be made publicly available about (a) the size and boundaries of localities determined by the Rent Service to calculate the standard local housing allowance in the housing benefit reform pilot areas and (b) what the average rent is by size of dwelling in those localities.

Malcolm Wicks: Under the new scheme, pathfinder authorities will be required to make information about the localities and the standard allowances publicly available. Details of the boundaries of localities and the standard allowances for different property sizes will therefore be accessible to both tenants and landlords
	The details of the scheme will be set out in regulations and we will be consulting on these in due course.

Asylum Seekers

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many persons have been found to have been claiming benefits pending an asylum application in the UK and Eire at the same time in each of the last three years;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the extent of fraud perpetrated by those claiming benefits in Eire and the UK simultaneously whilst pursuing an asylum application.

Malcolm Wicks: Our strategy for tackling fraud focuses on prevention by tightening the gateway to benefits, making stringent checks to verify a person's identity and details of their claim at the outset.
	People from abroad who wish to claim benefits must first provide sufficient evidence of their identity and circumstances for a National Insurance number (NINO) to be allocated.
	This process involves a rigorous face to face interview, scrutiny of supporting documentation, and corroborative checks made on the information provided prior to the allocation of a NINO. The process applies to all foreign nationals requiring a NINO. If during the allocation process suspicions are raised as to the legitimacy of an individual's right to be in the country, the case is referred to the Department's National Identity Fraud Unit for further action.
	Upon arrival in this country asylum seekers are initially supported by the Home Office National Asylum Support Service. Contact with this Department for the allocation of a NINO will therefore not normally take place until a decision has been made by the Home Office on the person's application for asylum. Once this has taken place (or if the person has been in the country for more than 6 months and is still awaiting a decision), an application for a NINO can be made.
	There are arrangements in place between this Department and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs in the Republic of Ireland which allow fraud investigators to compare information held by both departments relating to individuals suspected of committing fraud.

Job Advertisements

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many posts were advertised in the press in each year from June 1999; and what percentage of them were advertised in the Scottish press.

Ian McCartney: holding reply 24 October 2002
	The information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Goodwin and I v. UK

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 24 July, concerning the case of Goodwin and I v. UK, Official Report, col 1308W, if he will list the several Departments which have incurred costs in this case.

Ian McCartney: This litigation raised policy implications for most Government Departments, however those Departments most closely involved are the Foreign Office, Lord Chancellor's Department, Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Heath.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he will reply to the letters dated 28 August and 20 September from the hon. Member for Buckingham.

Nick Brown: I replied to the hon. Member on 22 October.

Child Support

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many current CSA assessments would be altered by implementation of the proposed changes in procedures.

Malcolm Wicks: It is expected that the majority of assessments made by the Child Support Agency will alter when the new scheme is introduced for existing cases. This is expected to be about a year after the new scheme is commenced for new cases.

Child Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average payment made in child support maintenance by the non-resident parent under the CSA system for (a) one child, (b) two children and (c) three or more children, based on the most recent five per cent. scan of the Child Support Computer System.

Malcolm Wicks: holding reply 4 November 2002
	The information is in the table.
	
		Average maintenance payment, # per week
		
			 Number of qualifying children 
		
		
			 1 2 3 
			 27.43 35.30 36.24 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are taken from a 5 per cent sample of ''live and assessed'' cases of the May 2002 quarterly scan of the Child Support Computer System and so are subject to sampling variation.
	2. Figures are based only on payments to parents with care made via the CSA collection service. Data is not held on those payments made directly by the non-resident parent to the parent with care.
	3. Averages are based on cases with Full Maintenance Assessments only.
	4. Payments made to reduce outstanding arrears are included in the calculation.
	5. The averages exclude cases assessed at zero maintenance payable; these represent nearly half of all cases with a Full Maintenance Assessment.
	6. The figures in the table represent average amounts paid by each non-resident parent for a single case.

Child Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average child support maintenance assessment is for (a) all, (b) employed and (c) unemployed non-resident parents for (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three or more qualifying children.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The information is given in the table.
	
		Average maintenance assessment, # per week
		
			 Employment status of non-resident parent Number of qualifying children 
		
		
			  1 2 3 
			 All 19.05 25.38 23.45 
			 Employed 33.96 43.08 44.86 
			 Unemployed 2.27 2.89 1.92 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The averages take account of cases assessed at zero maintenance payable.
	2. Figures are taken from a 5 per cent sample of all ''live and assessed'' cases of the May 2002 quarterly scan of the Child Support Computer System and so are subject to sampling variation.
	3. Figures are for Full Maintenance Assessments only.
	4. Employment status of the non-resident parent is based on the information held on the Child Support Computer System.

Child Support

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a statement on the timetable for the introduction of the proposed changes in the CSA; and what assessment he has made of the impact upon the parent with responsibility of its proposed changes.

Malcolm Wicks: holding reply 28 October 2002
	I refer my hon. Friend to the letter sent to right hon. and hon. Members on 19 September 2002 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, a copy of which was placed in the Library.
	The White Paper XA new contract for welfare: children's rights and parents' responsibilities", (CM4349) published in July 1999, gives our most recent estimates.

Child Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, 
	(1)  if he will update his estimates of gainers and losers from his proposed reforms to child support;
	(2)  what estimates he has made of the change in average maintenance assessment under the new Child Support Scheme for a non resident parent supporting (a) one qualifying child, (b) two qualifying children and (c) three or more qualifying children.

Malcolm Wicks: The White Paper ''A new contract for welfare: children's rights and parents' responsibilities'', (CM 4349) published in July 1999, gives our most recent estimates.

Child Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will estimate the (a) percentage and (b) number of non-resident parents who will see (i) an increase and (ii) a decrease in their child support maintenance assessment under the new scheme, based on the (A) five per cent. scan of the Child Support Computer System that was conducted in August 2000 and (B) the most recent five per cent. scan of the system;
	(2)  if he will estimate the average child support maintenance assessment under the new scheme for (a) all, (b) employed and (c) unemployed non-resident parents for (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three or more qualifying children, based on the most recent scan of the Child Support Computer System;
	(3)  if he will estimate the average (a) weekly amount and (b) percentage change in child support maintenance assessment under the new scheme for (i) all, (ii) employed and (iii) unemployed non resident parents for (1) one, (2) two and (3) three or more qualifying children, based on the most recent five per cent. scan of the Child Support Computer System.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 4 November 2002
	I refer my hon. friend to the letter sent to right hon. and hon. Members on 19 September 2002 by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
	The White Paper ''A new contract for welfare: children's rights and parents' responsibilities'', (CM 4349) published in July 1999, gives our most recent estimates.

Child Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been paid in compensation for Child Support Agency maladministration in each of the last five years; and how many cases have been involved.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter to Mr. Steven Webb from Doug Smith, dated 7 November 2002:
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary questions about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from me.
	You ask how much has been paid in compensation for Child Support Agency maladministration in each of the last five years; and how many cases have been involved.
	The amounts that have been paid by the Agency's Special Payments Team in respect of consolatory and financial redress and the number of cases involved are as follows:
	
		
			  Number of Cases Total amount Paid (#) 
		
		
			 1997–1998 1,389 786,590 
			 1998–1999 8,195 3,683,277 
			 1999–2000 7,705 2,529,695 
			 2000–2001 9,821 2,736,479 
			 2001–2002 12,007 2,518,487 
		
	
	I hope you find this useful.

Child Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 649W, on child maintenance, what proportion of parents with care on income support and income-based jobseekers' allowance received maintenance for their children in (a) 1997 and (b) at the most recent date for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: Based on data for February for both years, in 1997, 36 per cent. of the total of 255,000 parents with care, on income support or income-based job seeker's allowance and with full maintenance assessments were receiving maintenance. For 2002, that proportion was 31 per cent., but of a caseload that had increased by over 50 per cent., to some 392,000 such parents with care.

Child Support

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints and queries have been dealt with by the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years; how many absent parents were no longer contactable in each of these years; how many maintenance accounts held by the agency were in arrears in each of these years (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Durham; and what the outstanding amounts were (i) in the United Kingdom and (ii) in Durham.

Malcolm Wicks: I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible with the information requested and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what income sources his Department includes when measuring progress towards the Government's target on increasing the balance of spending on pensioners' incomes that comes from the private sector, as outlined on page 103 of the 1998 Green Paper on pensions Command Paper 4179; and what the figures were for each of these income sources in each year since 1998.

Ian McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 20 May 2002, Official Report, column 41W, and on 3 July 2002, Official Report, columns 420W–22W.

Harrow Benefits Agency

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints have been received about late payment of benefits by the Harrow Benefits Agency in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: Over the last 12 months, a total of 1,051 complaints have been received at the Harrow Social Security Office regarding late payment of benefits.
	The last 12 months have seen substantial change in what was Harrow Benefits Agency and a period of industrial action which has had some impact on performance. The Harrow Social Security Office now forms part of the Jobcentre Plus District for Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon. The District has already begun an improvement programme including re-training for staff in some areas of their work. This is already showing improved results in customer service and performance, with a corresponding reduction in the number of complaints received. There were 153 complaints about late payments of benefit in October 2001. By October 2002 there were only 13 complaints.

Disability Benefits

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disabled benefit recipients have failed his Department's tests in each of the last five years for which records are available; and how many have had those benefits restored on appeal for each of the different tests for which disabled people are required to undergo.

Maria Eagle: Two medical assessments are used to determine incapacity for work for benefit purposes: the Own Occupation Test, which is applied during the first 28 weeks of incapacity, and the Personal Capability Assessment. Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are self-assessment benefits and as such there is no requirement for a medical assessment. However, Decision Makers may request further evidence which can include a report from an examining medical practitioner.
	The available information is in the tables.
	
		Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) claims disallowed following application of the Personal Capability Assessment or the Own Occupation Test
		
			 Year Incapacity BenefitPersonal Capability Assessment(17)Own Occupation Test Severe Disablement AllowancePersonal Capability Assessment(17)Own Occupation Test 
		
		
			 1 March 1997 to 28 February 1998 173,400 2,700 1,500 — 
			 1 March 1998 to 28 February 1999 116,300(18) 4,700 1,000(18) — 
			 1 March 1999 to 29 February 2000 127,600 4,500 900 *100 
			 1 March 2000 to 28 February 2001 96,900 5,600 700 — 
			 1 March 2001 to 28 February 2002 103,900 5,100 1,100 — 
		
	
	Notes:
	(17) The Personal Capability Assessment replaced the All Work Test in April 2000.
	(18) Figures are for 3 quarters only. Due to a change in the recording system reliable figures for the personal capability assessment are not available for the quarter ending 30 November 1998.
	(19) National Insurance Credits Only cases are included in these figures.
	(20) Numbers marked ''*'' are based on a very few sample cases and are therefore subject to a high degree of sampling error and should be used as a guide to the current situation only.
	(21) ''—'' denotes nil or negligible.
	Source:
	Figures are based on 5 per cent samples of the Incapacity Benefit computer system and exclude a small number of clerically held cases.
	
		Appeals against disallowance of IB following a Personal Capability Assessment found in favour of the appellant
		
			 Period Found in favour 
		
		
			 1 July 2000–31 December 2000 6,660 
			 1 January 2001–31 December 2001 12,800 
			 1 January 2002–30 September 2002 11,570 
		
	
	
		Appeals against disallowance of other benefits following a Personal Capability Assessment found in favour of the appellant
		
			 Period Found in favour 
		
		
			 01 July 2000–31 December 2000 165 
			 01 January 2001–31 December 2001 315 
			 01 January 2002–30 September 2002 260 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Includes cases where people are in receipt of SDA or Income Support with the Disability Premium.
	2. Information on appeals following the Own Occupation Test is not collected separately.
	3. All figures are subject to change as more up to date data become available.
	4. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
	5. Figures for 2002 are provisional.
	6. Reliable data are not available prior to 1 July 2000.
	Source:
	100 per cent download of the Generic Appeals Processing System.

Jobcentre PWS Interviews

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many (a) income support, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) invalid care allowance, (d) bereavement benefit and (e) severe disablement allowance claimants have had (i) a new claim refused as a result of work focused interview non-attendance and (ii) benefit reduced as a result of failure to attend a repeat work-focused interview, under The Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews) Regulations 2001;
	(2)  what percentage of (a) income support, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) invalid care allowance, (d) bereavement benefit and (e) severe disablement (i) new claimants in Jobcentre Plus areas have had a claim refused as a result of work focused interview non-attendance and (ii) existing caseload claimants in Jobcentre Plus areas have had their benefit reduced as a result of failure to attend a repeat-work focused interview, under The Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews) Regulations 2001.

Nick Brown: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

NIRS2 Recalculation

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the average (a) underpayment and (b) overpayment for (i) retirement pension, (ii) widow's benefit, (iii) bereavement benefit, (iv) incapacity benefit and (v) jobseeker's allowance is as a result of incorrect NIRS2 calculations;
	(2)  how many (a) retirement pension, (b) widow's benefit, (c) bereavement benefit, (d) incapacity benefit and (e) jobseeker's allowance cases are waiting for a review triggered by a NIRS2 calculation;
	(3)  how much has been paid in arrears of (a) retirement pension, (b) widow's benefit, (c) bereavement benefit, (d) incapacity benefit and (e) jobseeker's allowance; and to how many pensioners, as a result of incorrect NIRS2 calculations;
	(4)  how much has been paid in overpayment of (a) retirement pension, (b) widow's benefit, (c) bereavement benefit, (d) incapacity benefit and (e) jobseeker's allowance and to how many claimants, as a result of incorrect NIRS2 calculations;
	(5)  how much has been underpaid in (a) retirement pension, (b) widow's benefit, (c) bereavement benefit, (d) incapacity benefit and (e) jobseeker's allowance and to how many claimants as a result of incorrect NIRS2 calculations;
	(6)  how many cases are waiting for a review triggered by a NIRS2 calculation.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Up to 30 November 2001, the information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Benefit or pension Total amount underpaid Number underpaid Average amount underpaid Total amount overpaid Number overpaid Average amount overpaid 
		
		
			 Retirement pension #64,171,357 190,791 #336 #2,895,937 11,629 #249 
			 Widow's benefit/bereavement benefit #29,420,184 17,496 #1,681 #316,123 722 #438 
			 Incapacity benefit #3,339,274 9,984 #334 #746,525 793 #941 
			 Jobseekers allowance #906,473 2,524 #359 #180,251 475 #379 
		
	
	Underpayments have been rectified. There should be no cases awaiting a review as a direct result of a NIRS2 recalculation.

Unemployment and Sickness Benefit (Wales)

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are claiming (a) unemployment related and (b) sickness-related benefits in each local authority in Wales.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the tables.
	
		Numbers of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Wales by local authority at September 2002
		
			 Local authority Numbers 
		
		
			 Blaenau Gwent 1,740 
			 Bridgend 1,730 
			 Caerphilly 2,785 
			 Cardiff 5,752 
			 Carmarthenshire 2,485 
			 Ceredigion 858 
			 Conwy 1,454 
			 Denbighshire 1,141 
			 Flintshire 1,725 
			 Anglesey, Isle of 1,554 
			 Gwynedd 2,088 
			 Merthyr Tydfil 1,139 
			 Monmouthshire 837 
			 Neath Port Talbot 2,280 
			 Newport 2,714 
			 Pembrokeshire 2,119 
			 Powys 1,293 
			 Rhondda, Cynon, Taff 3,390 
			 Swansea 3,979 
			 The Vale of Glamorgan 1,906 
			 Torfaen 1,385 
			 Wrexham 1,702 
			 Wales 46,056 
		
	
	Notes:
	The figures include those receiving either contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or income-based JSA or both and those receiving National Insurance credits only.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Computer Systems, 100 per cent. count of all unemployed people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance.
	
		Numbers of working age people claiming sickness-related benefits in Wales by local authority at May 2002
		
			 Local authority Numbers 
		
		
			 Blaenau Gwent 8,100 
			 Bridgend 11,600 
			 Caerphilly 17,200 
			 Cardiff 18,700 
			 Carmarthenshire 13,700 
			 Ceredigion 4,400 
			 Conwy 6,800 
			 Denbighshire 5,800 
			 Flintshire 7,300 
			 Anglesey, Isle of 4,400 
			 Gwynedd 5,900 
			 Merthyr Tydfil 7,700 
			 Monmouthshire 3,600 
			 Neath Port Talbot 14,200 
			 Newport 9,300 
			 Pembrokeshire 7,200 
			 Powys 6,400 
			 Rhondda, Cynon, Taff 24,700 
			 Swansea 17,900 
			 The Vale of Glamorgan 6,100 
			 Torfaen 8,300 
			 Wrexham 8,200 
			 Wales 217,600 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. XSickness-related" benefits are defined for the purposes of this table as Incapacity Benefit (IB), Severe Disablement Allowance and Income Support with disability premium and National Insurance credits only (1B).
	Source:
	DWP Client Group Analysis, 5 per cent. statistical samples relating to May 2002.

Incapacity Benefit

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what circumstances incapacity benefit is means tested; and whether the incapacity benefit is reduced if a man aged 61 has an occupational pension.

Nick Brown: Incapacity Benefit exists to provide a measure of earnings replacement for people of working age who are incapable of work. Where a person is duplicating this provision the law provides for this to be taken into account.
	If a person claiming Incapacity Benefit receives an occupational pension, personal pension or payments through a permanent health insurance scheme of #85 a week or more, their Incapacity Benefit is reduced by half the amount which exceeds #85. Only people making new claims from 6 April 2001 are affected by the new rules.

Occupational Deafness

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he will publish the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council report on occupational deafness.

Nick Brown: The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council expects to publish its report on occupational deafness shortly.

Focus Group Research

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what use he and his Department have made of focus group research since June 2001; if he will identify for each research project the topics covered, the person or organisation carrying out the research, and the total cost; and if he will publish the research on his Department's website.

Nick Brown: The information is available in the table.
	
		Focus Group Research since 1 June 2001
		
			 Project Title Topics covered Organisation undertaking the research Total Cost Research published on Department's website? 
		
		
			 Employment Service Implementation Training and guidance BMRB and Insite #19,830 No 
			 Review of the Job Entry Target The Jobcentre Plus Job Entry Target—focus groups with staff Policy Research Institute #24,105 No 
			 Good Practice in Work Preparation Purpose and function of Work preparation: Social Policy Research Unit #72,288 Yes 
			 Evaluation of the permitted work rules for Incapacity Benefit claimants The use of the new arrangements by staff who apply them or refer to them in their work. Institute for Employment Studies #199,000 Research commissioned in Summer 2002, findings to be published in 2004 
			 Incapacity Benefits & Work Incentives Client experiences of a series of work incentive measures. Social Policy Research Unit #47,025 Yes 
			 The Role of GPs in Sickness Certification The knowledge, attitudes and experiences of GPs acting as certifying medical practitioners. National Centre for Social Research #73,333 Yes 
			 Diversity in Disability To provide a greater understanding of the life experiences of disabled men and women from different minority ethnic groups. National Centre for Social Research #136,798 Research to be published early 2003. 
			 Social Fund use amongst older people in Britain To provide an understanding of the reasons for take-up and non-take-up among eligible older people. Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC), University of Bristol #55,230 Yes 
			 Attitudes to Electronic Service Delivery Use of the internet and computers Andrew Irving Associates #46,000 The project is ongoing and will be published on the website when complete 
			 Investigating Low Labour Market Participation among Lone Parents in London. Six workshops conducted with lone parent ''experts'' such as NDLP advisers in London, Merseyside and Strathclyde. The National Centre for Social Research. #22,938 Forthcoming research to be published 2002–2003. 
			 Partners of non JSA benefit recipients Attitudes and barriers to work ECOTEC Research and Consulting Ltd. #52,385 Yes 
			 Reforming Services for Pensioners: Perceptions of The Pension Service Proposed Business Model for 2006 Among Today's Pensioners Customers' views of what they would like to see from The Pension Service in the future. Forum Qualitative #34,400 No, customer testing for internal use. 
			 Evaluation of NDLP Innovation Fund Client perceptions project delivery. York Consulting #80,051 Research will be published in early 2003 and will be available on department website in due course 
			 Child Support Reforms Testing of leaflets and letters. Andrew Irvine Associates #80,403 No

Pay Offer Pack

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost was of the Pay 2002 information pack circulation; and if he will make a statement in respect of targeting information to recipients

Ian McCartney: The cost for design, print and distribution of the Department 2002 Pay Offer information pack was #1.34 per pack. Around 146,500 copies were issued to staff.
	Distribution of the package was based on payroll information for staff from the former Department for Social Security, and the most recent ''census'' information for staff from the former Employment Service.
	This year's pay offer to staff was particularly significant because it was the first since the Department was formed in 2001, where staff were brought together from the former DSS, Employment Services and Department for Education and Employment. For the past year different terms and conditions have applied within the Department.
	The offer package provided staff with comprehensive details on a raft of harmonised changes to their terms and conditions, pay structure and conditions of employment for staff in the Department for Work and Pensions. The proposed changes to terms and conditions contained in the 2002 pay offer were complex and contractual. It was therefore, essential that all staff had the opportunity to read, understand and ask questions about the changes. The only way to ensure that this was achieved was to distribute personal copies of the information package to all staff in the Department.

Jobcentres (Wiltshire)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employees there are broken down by function at (a) Avon House Jobcentre, Salisbury, (b) Amesbury Jobcentre and (c) Summerlock House, Salisbury; and what plans he has to change the number of jobs, broken down by function, at each location.

Nick Brown: The number of staff and the functions they perform in the two jobcentres are as follows:
	
		
			  Salisbury Jobcentre Amesbury Jobcentre 
		
		
			 Employer Services 1 1 
			 Personal Advisers 7 1 
			 Customer Services 9 2 
			 Jobseeker's Allowance claims processing 6 0 
			 Programme Centre 2 0 
			 Management and Office services 1 1 
			  
			 Total 26 5 
		
	
	In the Summerlock House Social Security Office the staff deployment is as follows:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Customer Services 7 
			 Income Support claims processing 8 
			 Incapacity Benefit claims processing 10 
			 Home visiting 2 
			 Management and Office services 5 
			 Counter Fraud Investigation Service 4 
			 Minimum Income Guarantee claims processing 2 
			 Retirement Pension claims processing 19 
			  
			 Total 57 
		
	
	There are no plans to make significant changes to job functions in the short term. In the longer term the migration of existing Jobcentres and Social Security Offices into fully integrated Jobcentre Plus offices and the development of The Pensions Service may lead to changes in job functions in order to deliver improved services to customers.

Jobcentres (Wiltshire)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of his staff at (a) Avon House Jobcentre, Salisbury, (b) Amesbury Jobcentre and (c) Summerlock House, Salisbury were (i) threatened, (ii) verbally abused and (iii) physically assaulted in 2001; on how many occasions the police were called; and how many prosecutions followed.

Nick Brown: The number of incidents recorded during 2001 was as follows:
	
		
			 Office Name Verbally Abused Threatened Actual Physical Assaults Number of times the Police were asked to attend Number of prosecutions 
		
		
			 Avon House Salisbury 11 7 3 3 0 
			 Amesbury Jobcentre 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Summerlock House Salisbury 3 1 1 0 0 
		
	
	Whilst clearly unacceptable, the physical assaults that occurred were minor incidents in which no member of staff sustained serious injuries.

Winter Fuel Payments

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost would be of extending winter fuel payments to those families who receive disability living allowance.

Maria Eagle: We estimate that the cost of extending Winter Fuel Payments to people under 60 who are receiving any rate of Disability Living Allowance would be around #270 million a year.
	Notes:
	Based on the 2000–2001 Family Resources Survey and data taken from DWP administrative records for November 2001 and May 2002.
	Assumes that the payment is made to claimants in receipt of any rate of DLA who are aged under 60.

Winter Fuel Payments

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if the departmental computer error affecting the entitlement to the winter fuel payment of residents in separate tenement flats at the same street number has been rectified.

Ian McCartney: It is not a question of a computer error but one of how we determine the number of eligible occupants of tenement flats in Scotland. This year, to ensure that the correct Winter Fuel Payments are made to people living in tenements in Scotland, staff have clerically intervened in the process.

Winter Fuel Payments

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects pensioners to receive the winter fuel allowance this winter.

Ian McCartney: The first payments were issued on 4 November, and payments will continue to be sent out over the next few weeks. The vast majority of eligible people, including those who receive payments automatically, will receive their payment before Christmas.

Winter Fuel Payments

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much money has been paid as winter fuel allowance to UK citizens living abroad since the allowance was introduced.

Ian McCartney: To date, we have paid Winter Fuel Payments totalling #154,200 to 2,040 eligible people who are now living in an European Economic Area country other than the UK.

Pensions (Employer Contributions)

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employees with personal pension plans receive an employer contribution into their pension of (a) 0 (b) less than 3 per cent. (c) 3 to 3.9 per cent., (d) 4 to 4.9 per cent., (e) 5 to 5.9 per cent., (f) 6 to 6.9 per cent., (g) 7 to 9.9 per cent. and (h) 10 per cent. or higher (i) in total and (ii) broken down by (A) industry group (B) whether in the public or private sector and (C) employer size.

Ian McCartney: The data are not available in the form requested. However, the Employers Pension Provision Survey 2000, the fourth in a series commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, examined different types of pension arrangements in the private sector. The survey includes information on the proportion of employers who contribute to employees' personal pensions, who provide access to group personal pensions and the contribution rates that such employers make.
	A copy of the report, entitled ''Employers Pension Provision Survey 2000'' by Alison Smith and Stephen McKay, Department for Work and Pensions Research Report No. 163 is available in the Library.

Pensions (Employer Contributions)

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many employees in defined benefit occupational pension schemes receive an employer contribution into their pension of (a) 0, (b) less than 3 per cent., (c) 3 to 3.9 per cent., (d) 4 to 4.9 per cent., (e) 5 to 5.9 per cent., (f) 6 to 6.9 per cent., (g) 7 to 9.9 per cent., and (h) 10 per cent. or higher (i) in total and (ii) broken down by (A) industry group, (B) whether in the public or private sector and (C) employer size;
	(2)  how many employees in defined contribution occupational pension schemes receive an employer contribution into their pension of (a) 0, (b) less than 3 per cent., (c) 3 to 3.9 per cent., (d) 4 to 4.9 per cent., (e) 5 to 5.9 per cent., (f) 6 to 6.9 per cent. (g) 7 to 9.9 per cent. and (h) 10 per cent. or higher (i) in total and (ii) broken down by (A) industry group. (B) whether in the public or private sector and (C) employer size.

Ian McCartney: Information on contributions to defined contribution occupational pension schemes and deferred benefit occupational pension scheme was collected as part of the Government Actuary Department's Occupational Pension Scheme Survey 2000, preliminary results from which were published recently.
	A full breakdown of results in the form requested not available at this time. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with a full breakdown of the results and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Recruitment (Over-50s)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of new recruits to his Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

Ian McCartney: The complete information requested is not readily available. Such information as is available is in the table.
	
		Percentage of new recruits aged 50 or over
		
			 Period Total new entrants New entrants over 50 Percentage 
		
		
			 01–04–00—30–09–00 5496 422 7.7 Ex ES 
			 01–10–00—31–03–01 2857 404 14.1 Ex DSS 
			  5223 469 8.8 Ex ES 
			   
			 Total for Period 8080 873 10.8 
			 01–04–01—31–03–02 13124 1594 12.1 Ex DSS 
			  8758 732 8.4 Ex ES 
			   
			 Total for period 21882 2326 10.6 
			 01–04–02—31–10–02 8439 1037 12.3 Ex DSS 
			  2691 214 8 Ex ES 
			   
			 Total for Period 11130 1251 11.2

Telephone Helplines

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list the telephone helplines run by his Department and its agencies including (a) the relevant telephone numbers and (b) how many calls each helpline has received in each of the last 12 months.

Ian McCartney: The following tables list: the numbers of calls received for each of the last 12 months by each helpline run by the Department for Work and Pensions for which figures are collected centrally; and the published telephone numbers for each of these centres.
	
		
			 Helpline DWP Public enquiry Office BA & ES Chief Executive Helpline(22) Chief Executive's helpline Jobcentre Plus(23) Chief Executive's Helpline The Pension Service(23) Employer Direct(24) Jobseeker Direct National Benefit Fraud Hotline 
		
		
			 Telephone Number(s) 020 7712 2171 Discontinued 020 7273 6060 0113 232 4143 0845 601 2001 0845 6060 234 0800 854 440 
			 Sep-01 7,402 334,405 20,644 
			 Oct-01 10,044 395351,863 18,852 
			 Nov-01 7,658 407417,758 15,771 
			 Dec-01 5,162 342178,736 8,299 
			 Jan-02 8,776 400   193,854 617,598 16,147 
			 Feb-02 8,582 354   159,230 505,711 12,809 
			 Mar-02 9,381 294   140,285 429,282 15,013 
			 Apr-02 15,649  250 194 163,170 475,210 14,139 
			 May-02 13,185  230 112 172,674 507,160 15,747 
			 Jun-02 13,099  297 120 151,079 500,873 11,390 
			 Jul-02 20,939  245 131 144,405 508,151 14,569 
			 Aug-02 23,868  245 119 188,132 578,813 10,735 
			  
			 Total 143,745 2,192 1,267 676 1,312,829 5,405,560 174,115 
		
	
	
		
			 Helpline Child Benefit Enquiry Line(25) CSA National enquiry Line CSA Midlands Customer Help Line CSA South Eastern CHL CSA Eastern CHL CSA South Western CHL CSA Wales North West CHL CSA Scotland and North East CHL 
		
		
			 Telephone Number(s) 08701 555540/08701 555501 0845 713 3133 08457 131 000 08457 134 000 08457 132 000 08457 137 000 08457 138 000 08457 136 000 
			 Sep-01 225,073 45,728 39,466 30,994 46,859 34,520 39,403 43,836 
			 Oct-01 262,668 44,722 38,213 30,386 43,396 34,795 36,616 41,285 
			 Nov-01 214,731 56,039 45,429 37,422 40,393 46,645 45,475 53,099 
			 Dec-01 158,633 28,776 30,490 22,595 57,806 27,294 31,949 35,364 
			 Jan-02 259,415 36,513 38,782 29,663 35,126 34,764 41,389 42,664 
			 Feb-02 233,487 59,661 38,907 30,560 46,914 38,260 39,496 45,571 
			 Mar-02 216,689 43,729 45,056 34,464 48,647 47,403 50,958 57,514 
			 Apr-02 222,148 52,531 37,091 28,818 53,130 35,983 35,395 42,901 
			 May-02 221,342 63,376 45,327 36,301 41,876 46,646 44,783 53,505 
			 Jun-02 213,215 45,700 35,875 27,234 50,475 35,711 29,128 41,489 
			 Jul-02 260,523 48,453 37,476 28,275 38,167 34,991 34,769 44,066 
			 Aug-02 227,970 58,028 43760 35,677 47,949 41,230 41,389 53,911 
			   
			 Total  583,256 475,872 372,389 550,738 458,242 470,750 555,205 
		
	
	
		
			 Helpline International Pension Centre Pension Direct Retirement Pension Teleclaims Retirement Pension Forecasting Team(26) Minimum income Guarantee Claimline Benefit Enquiry Line DLA AA 
		
		
			 Telephone Number(s) 0191 218 7777 0845 301 3011 0845 300 1084 0845 300 0168/0191 22 87585 0800 0281111 0800 882200 08457 123456 
			 Sep-01 16,894 78,755 38648 27,323 7,387 96,150 358,946 
			 Oct-01 14,061 88,502 42823 32,946 10,060 99,869 424,764 
			 Nov-01 14,375 106,923 29077 29,366 16,606 123,403 406,454 
			 Dec-01 11,632 73,849 28156 15,448 8,595 63,484 292,704 
			 Jan-02 16,297 110,517 51271 39,686 15,702 137,473 413,295 
			 Feb-02 14,738 118,186 42403 37,113 16,703 112,503 386,341 
			 Mar-02 12,993 115,360 41986 37,887 17,110 113,234 340,135 
			 Apr-02 13,240 107,855 43930 43,234 26,969 117,225 395,570 
			 May-02 17,875 103,395 39991 40,838 22,494 136,573 428,375 
			 Jun-02 13,886 76,998 33217 34,858 19,472 98,095 312,259 
			 Jul-02 16,550 97,403 38538 47,861 20,042 110,567 416,802 
			 Aug-02 13,879 88,175 34325 39,506 15,515 129,478 347,579 
			  
			 Total 176,420 1,165,918 464,365 426,066 196,655 1,338,054 4,523,224 
		
	
	Notes:
	(22) Closed in March upon the foundation of Jobcentre Plus and The Pension Service.
	(23) Opened in April following the formation of Jobcentre Plus and the Pension Service.
	(24) Employer Direct—The 11 centres were established incrementally mainly during 2001. Meaningful national figures are only available from January 2002.
	(25) The first of the two telephone numbers shown is in widest use.
	(26) The first of the two telephone numbers shown was introduced recently but the second number is still used widely.

Supported Employment

Valerie Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which disability-specific national programmes his Department is funding for supported employment; and what plans he has to fund a national supported employment programme for people with autism and Asperger Syndrome.

Nick Brown: WORKSTEP is a national supported employment programme for disabled people who have complex barriers to finding and keeping work. The programme is not specific to any one disability but instead is designed to help all disabled people meeting the criteria to work in a supportive environment and, where possible, to progress in mainstream employment.
	In addition, Disability Employment Advisers based in Jobcentres work with local employers to place people into jobs, making use of other specialist programmes such as Access to Work where necessary. These arrangements have enabled people with many different disability-related barriers to work, including those with autism and Asperger syndrome, to move successfully into jobs.

Stakeholder Pensions

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a statement on the take up of stakeholder pensions.

Ian McCartney: Figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show that up to the end of June 2002 1,011,934 stakeholder pensions had been sold. A detailed breakdown of sales will not be available until next year. Sales of over a million in their first 15 months on the market represents a very encouraging start.
	In addition the ABI figures show that 330,296 employers had designated a scheme for their workforce. This means more people have the chance to save for a decent income in retirement through the workplace.
	The ABI said that stakeholder pensions have also had a wider beneficial effect on pension provision by helping to increase the size of the overall pensions market. Stakeholder pensions have driven down other personal pension charges, some employers have widened access to their occupational pension schemes and other employers have set up group personal pensions with an employer contribution.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions between 31 March 2001 and 31 March 2002 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Ian McCartney: None.

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what public consultations have been commenced by his Department in each month since 10 June; and what the (a) start date (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Ian McCartney: Since 10 June 2002 the Department for Work and Pensions has commenced one public consultation entitled the Social Security Advisory Committee Review.
	(a) 16–10–02
	(b) 08–01–03
	(c) http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2002/index.htm

Public Consultations

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 632W, on post offices, what alternative methods he is assessing to pay benefit recipients who cannot be paid directly into an account.

Malcolm Wicks: Work is currently underway to identify an alternative for those people who cannot be paid directly into an account. We will ensure that the method introduced will be secure, efficient and available from outlets including Post Offices.

Jobcentre Plus Staff (Assaults)

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the latest quarterly figures are for incidents of violence against staff in Job Centre Plus offices.

Nick Brown: holding reply 4 November 2002
	We estimate that during the period July to September 2002 over 10 million callers visited Jobcentre Plus offices. The number of recorded assaults (excluding incidents of verbal abuse) in Jobcentre Plus offices during this period are shown in the table. The figures show a decrease on the previous quarter's statistics.
	
		
			  Actual Assaults Attempted Assaults 
		
		
			 April to June 2002 92 191 
			 July to September 2002 86 154 
		
	
	These figures include all offices within the Jobcentre Plus network including Jobcentres, Social Security Offices and newly integrated Jobcentre Plus Offices.

Outset Ltd

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what process he went through to satisfy himself of the solvency and fitness for purpose of the company Outset Ltd before it was contracted to deliver services to disabled people in the Bedfordshire area under New Deal; whether he has investigated its liquidation; and whether he intends to compensate disabled people who may have suffered loss through its failure.

Nick Brown: holding reply 4 November 2002
	In line with standard procurement processes, an assessment of the legal status and financial capacity of Outset Limited was made prior to the awarding of a contract. The information provided by Outset was assessed by a panel comprising a range of officials and external stakeholders, including professionally qualified procurement staff, qualified accountancy staff and representatives of disability organisations. The process was audited by independent consultants.
	It is not within this Department's remit to investigate the company's liquidation, although Jobcentre Plus officials have been in discussion with the Official Receiver regarding its effect on the New Deal for Disabled People.
	Those people registered for New Deal help with Outset have been offered alternative provision that fully replaces the support that they were formerly receiving. In addition, officials are also addressing, on an individual basis as they are raised, concerns of those who were receiving other forms of provision delivered by Outset.

Pensioner Poverty

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of projected pensioner poverty.

Ian McCartney: We are committed to tackling poverty and social exclusion among older people. The Government are spending an extra #6 billion a year in real terms on pensioners as a result of policies introduced since 1997. This includes #2½ billion more on the poorest third of pensioners.
	Our annual Opportunity for all reports monitor progress against a range of indicators of the many different aspects of poverty and social exclusion affecting older peoples' lives.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost would be of extending the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme to Families with disabled children.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	To qualify for a grant under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, now marketed as Warm Front Team, the householder or their spouse must be in receipt of a qualifying income or disability related benefit. Householders in Receipt of the Disability Living Allowance are currently entitled to assistance up to the value of #1500. There are currently over 241,000 recipients of Disability Living Allowance aged under 16. If Warm Front was extended to include this group, allowing for a 100 per cent. take up the extra cost to the scheme would be over #361 million.
	Warm Front is aimed at householders on low income. We believe that receipt of benefit is the best mechanism with which to assess the ability of the householder or their spouse to be able to afford to keep their home warm at a reasonable cost. We realise that this is a difficult issue, whatever the cut-off point, there will always be those who just miss out, but we must take a decision in order to ensure the most effective possible use of the available resources.

Radiation Exposure

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Works and Pension, what the maximum permitted levels of radiation exposure are for (a) workers in the nuclear industry and (b) members of the public; and how many times these have been exceeded in each of the last 20 years.

Brian Wilson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99) set the limit on effective dose for radiation exposure of any employee of 18 years and above as 20 millisieverts (mSv) in any calendar year. The limit on effective dose for radiation exposure of any member of the public is 1 millisievert in any calendar year.
	IRR99 came into force on 1 January 2000. The previous annual limits were set out in the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985 (IRR85) that came into force on 1 January 1986, and were 50 millisieverts for employees and 5 millisieverts for members of the public.
	The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not hold details in a readily accessible form of the number of cases where it has been notified that the statutory limits have been exceeded in respect of all nuclear workers. The following data have been drawn from the HSE's national database of occupational exposure to ionising radiation—the Central Index of Dose Information (CIDI).
	
		
			 Year Number Of Cases Greater Than 50mSv Under IRR85 
		
		
			 1986 1 
			 1987 2 
			 1988 1 
			 1989 3 
			 1990 1 
			 1991 0 
			 1992 0 
			 1993 0 
			 1994 0 
			 1995 2 
			 1996 1 
			 1997 0 
			 1998 0 
			 1999 0 
			  Number of cases greater than 20mSv under IRR99 
			  
			 2000 1 
			 2001 0 
		
	
	The database started in 1986 and its main purpose is to provide a continuous record throughout the lifetime for employees who, at the same time in their working lives, have been designated by their employer(s) as ''classified person'' under IRR99 or IRR85.

Blind/Partially Sighted People

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of (a) blind and (b) partially sighted people in each of the nations of the UK are unemployed.

Nick Brown: There is no central register of people who are clinically blind or partially sighted. However, some information on the number of people reporting a visual impairment is available from the Labour Force Survey. The available information is in the table.
	
		People Of Working Age Who Report That They Have Difficulty In Seeing
		
			  Percentage Not In Employment 
		
		
			 England 62 
			 Wales 66 
			 Scotland 67 
			 Northern Ireland * 
			 United Kingdom 63 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Percentages are calculated from the Spring 2002 Labour Force Survey.
	2. The data do not include respondents whose eyesight problems are effectively compensated for by wearing glasses or contact lenses. However, the LFS may overstate the numbers because some of those who identify difficulty in seeing would not necessarily be diagnosed as blind or partially sighted.
	3. The term ''not in employment'' includes people who are not actively seeking work as well as those who are covered by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition of unemployment. The ILO unemployment rates for people with visual impairments are only available for England and the UK because of small sample sizes.

Payment Methods

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Harwich (Mr. Henderson) of 21 October 2004 Official Report, column 14, on the Universal Bank, what alternative arrangements he will put in place for those people who will not be able to use the PIN number associated with a Post Office card account.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 652W.

Payment Methods

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which benefits he intends to transfer from cash payments to direct bank transactions in April 2003; and of these (a) what proportion of recipients he expects will opt to continue receiving payments in cash and (b) what saving his Department will make in the cost of making payments.

Malcolm Wicks: From April 2003 the normal method of payment for benefits and pensions will be direct into bank and building society accounts (including the Post Office card account).
	Customers will be able to access their cash at banks/building societies and Post Office Branches.
	Even where a customer is paid directly into an account, they can still collect their cash at post office branches, either through existing network banking arrangements between Post Office Ltd and several banks or, from 2003, through universal banking services at post offices.
	On costs, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer I gave the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on Monday 22 July 2002, Official Report, column 806W.

Income Support

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it is possible for somebody to become financially worse off as a consequence of moving from a position of receiving income support and housing benefit and council tax benefit to a position of receiving incapacity benefit with the right to put a claim in for housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Malcolm Wicks: Where a person is not in receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is assessed by comparing a person's net income with an amount which is broadly similar to what they would receive on either Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. For each pound that their income exceeds that level, the amount of benefit payable is reduced by fixed tapers of 65 pence for Housing Benefit and 20 pence for Council Tax Benefit. As a consequence people will generally see an improvement in their overall financial position.

Anti-fraud Strategy

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff are employed by Jobcentre Plus on anti-fraud work; and how many people were employed in total on this work in the two predecessor departments.

Malcolm Wicks: The overall aim of the Department's anti-fraud strategy is to have a benefit system, which is secure from first claim to final payment. The implementation of this strategy means that an anti-fraud focus is integral to the work of all staff in the Department, as is dealing with the wider agenda of error and incorrectness in benefit payments.
	When the Department for Work and Pensions was established, the Employment Service, which was an Agency of the former Department for Education and Employment, did not have any staff dealing specifically with benefit fraud.
	The information currently available suggests that, over recent years, around 5,000 staff have been employed by the Department and its agencies in work to investigate suspicions of fraud. However, taking account of changes in data collection measures over time and the integration of investigators more fully with frontline staff, it is clear to me we need to improve the validity of and reliability of year on year comparisons, and I have asked the Department to undertake further work on this. I have concluded that it is not possible to make valid comparisons between figures year-on-year.
	I have therefore asked the Department to undertake a review to improve the consistency of centrally collected information for the future.

Anti-fraud Strategy

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the rate of staff turnover in each of the last three years in (a) benefit fraud inspection work and (b) his Department as a whole.

Malcolm Wicks: The overall aim of the Department's anti-fraud strategy is to have a benefit system which is secure from first claim to final payment. The implementation of this strategy means that an anti-fraud focus is integral to the work of all staff in the Department, as is dealing with the wider agenda of error and incorrectness in benefit payments.
	The information currently available suggests that, throughout the period, around 5,000 staff have been employed by the Department and its agencies in work to investigate suspicions of fraud. However, on examination, it is clear that data on the number of staff is not consistent as data collection measures have changed over time and as the deployment of investigators has become more fully integrated with front line staff. I have concluded that it is not possible to make valid compariaons between the figures year-on year.
	I have therefore asked the Department to undertake a review to improve the consistency of centrally collected information for the future.
	The following table provides information available on the total numbers of permanent staff and numbers of leavers in the last three years, for the areas that now come under the Department for Work and Pensions.
	
		
			 Year (1 April to 31 March) Permanent Staff Leavers 
		
		
			 1999–2000 118,926 Insufficient data 
			 held 
			 2000–2001 126,942 9,642 
			 2001–2002 134,247 5,692

Employers' Liability Insurance

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of companies conducting business without employers' liability insurance.

Nick Brown: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Social Fund

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will review the rules that require family members not on qualifying benefits to pay for funerals, rather than receiving help from the Social Fund;
	(2)  if he will increase the amount of grant available for funeral expenses in the funeral payment from the Social Fund;
	(3)  if he will review the operation of the rules that require the liability of family members not on a qualifying benefit to be considered when application for a funeral grant is made.

Malcolm Wicks: The Social Fund targets help on people with the lowest incomes who qualify for income-related benefits.
	Social Fund funeral payments cover the cost of necessary charges including fees levied by burial authorities and crematoria. In addition, up to #600 is allowed for other funeral expenses. This gives the person arranging the funeral the freedom to select the items or services they consider appropriate.
	We have no plans to change these arrangements, but we keep the level of support provided with funeral costs under review.

Social Fund

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on his policy on the future availability of Social Fund loans and their extension to a wider group of people on low incomes, with particular reference to (a) providing support to families with children and (b) combating social exclusion;
	(2)  if he will ensure that the Social Fund continue to provide (a) loans and (b) an improved system of grants;
	(3)  if he will review the arrangements for access to Crisis Loans;
	(4)  if he will abolish the qualification period of 26 weeks for Budgeting Loans;
	(5)  if he will change the eligibility criteria to enable people whose sole income is contributory benefit such as incapacity benefit or contribution based jobseeker's allowance to apply for help from both the discretionary and the regulated Social Fund.

Malcolm Wicks: Our priority is to tackle poverty and combat social exclusion by helping those who are able into work and making work pay, and increasing support for the most vulnerable members of society: children, pensioners, and disabled people.
	The Social Fund supports that strategy by giving help to millions of people on low incomes for a variety of intermittent expenses. Social Fund help is targeted on the neediest people in our society.
	Access to a Crisis Loan is available to anyone in an emergency or as a consequence of a disaster where there is no other means of preventing serious damage or serious risk to their health or safety or that of their family. There is no requirement for a Crisis Loan applicant to be receiving an income-related benefit, but any income or capital they have will be taken into account.
	Over 1 million Budgeting Loans were provided to people last year. We believe it is right that there should be a waiting period before these loans become available and that six months is a reasonable period for people to rely on their own resources before turning to the state.
	We keep all aspects of the Fund under review.

Social Fund

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will change the eligibility criteria to allow people who qualify for the maximum child credit and working tax credit to apply for help from both the discretionary and the regulated Social Fund.

Malcolm Wicks: With the introduction of the New Tax Credits from April 2003, anyone who receives the Child Tax Credit at the maximum rate or any other rate greater than the family element, or the Working Tax Credit where a disabled worker is included in the assessment, will qualify for Sure Start Maternity Grants and Funeral Payments from the regulated Social Fund, provided that all of the other eligibility criteria are met.

Social Fund

Patsy Calton: To ask the the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will ensure that from April 2003, people who qualify for maximum child credit and/or who qualify for Working Tax Credit are eligible to apply for grants from the regulated Social Fund, with particular reference to (a) Sure Start Maternity Grants and (b) Funeral Grants.

Malcolm Wicks: From April 2003, Sure Start Maternity Grants and Funeral Payments will be payable to families receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Child Tax Credit at the maximum rate or any other rate greater than the family element, or Working Tax Credit where a disabled worker is included in the assessment.

Crisis Loans

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will review the arrangements for the granting and collection of Crisis Loans, with particular reference to accessibility in rural areas.

Malcolm Wicks: We believe that the current arrangements are sufficiently flexible to support a good standard of delivery to customers, regardless of their location.

Budgeting Loans

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will ensure that regular statements are issued showing the outstanding balance on any budgeting loan;
	(2)  if he will amend the repayment formulae to allow the option of more modest repayment rates;
	(3)  if he will (a) increase the maximum possible budgeting loan and (b) review the treatment of outstanding loans.

Malcolm Wicks: We have improved the standard of information given to applicants to explain Budgeting Loan decisions. In addition to the standard letter of notification, we now provide a calculation sheet which sets out, in clear stages, how the final decision has been reached.
	The scheme already provides for anyone who finds the repayments terms offered unacceptable to opt for a lower size of loan and lower repayments. In addition, anyone who has difficulty maintaining repayments can ask for the repayment period to be extended so that weekly repayments are reduced to a more manageable level.
	The #1000 limit on total debt to the Social Fund has been set to ensure access to a reasonable and manageable level of credit which recognises the possible needs of people on Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. It means that debt owed to the Social Fund is kept to a manageable level. Keeping the limit at its present level means repayment deductions from benefit can be set at a reasonable level.
	We continue to keep all elements of the Social Fund under review to see whether further improvements can be made to its operation and to ensure that the Fund supports our wider welfare reforms.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Organised Crime

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the membership is of the Organised Crime Task Force in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: The Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), which I chair, is a Government led multi-agency initiative to tackle organised crime. It is made up of the Northern Ireland Office, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Her Majesty's Customs & Excise, National Criminal Intelligence Service, Home Office and the Inland Revenue. The Task Force is supported by a number of sub groups and expert groups comprising of other Government departments and agencies with a role to play in tackling organised crime including the Health and Safety Executive, Trading Standards Services and the Environment and Heritage Service

Organised Crime

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what funds have been allocated specifically for tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: It is for the law enforcement agencies to decide what resources should be allocated to tackling organised crime effectively in order to deliver their operational strategies.
	The Organised Crime Task Force seeks to bring the Agencies together in a way that respects their independence and autonomy and allows them to share information and agree priorities. This enables the agencies to agree shared priorities at a senior level and to commit resources and assistance to each other.

Organised Crime

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the terms and conditions are of the appointment of Professor Ronald Goldstock as an adviser to the Secretary of State on organised crime; and what his remuneration is.

Jane Kennedy: The Secretary of State appointed Professor Goldstock, ex-director of the New York State Organised Crime Task Force, in March 2002 to act as an independent expert and to provide an international perspective on the problem of organised crime in Northern Ireland.
	He has been asked to report to the Secretary of State, with recommendations for tackling the problem and, in particular, to formulate proposals for securing cross-community support for action, drawing on international experience.
	His remuneration is 1,000US dollars per diem.

Academic Selection

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Pursuant to the answer of the Minister of State on 28 October, Official Report, column 513W, on the 11-plus, on what evidence he bases the Government's view on the ending of academic selection and the extent of opposition to this proposal.

Jane Kennedy: The responses to the consultation and the extent of support for and opposition to academic selection and the other proposals in the Burns Report are set out in a Report on the Consultation published on 8 October by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. Copies of the Report are being placed in the Library.
	No decisions have been taken on academic selection and my officials will be discussing the responses to consultation with our educational partners and representatives of parents over the coming weeks.

Parades Commission

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he received the Quigley review of the operation of the Parades Commission; when he transmitted the report to the (a) Government of Ireland, (b) Northern Ireland political parties, (c) members of the Parades Commission, (d) Loyal Orders and other marching organisations and (e) principal residents' group; what the recommendations of the report are; and when he plans to put it into the public domain.

Paul Murphy: Sir George Quigley submitted his report on 27 September 2002. It has now been printed and copies have been placed in the Library. I have circulated the report today and intend to allow a period of consultation up to the end of January next year. I will be seeking a broad cross-section of opinion, including from those parties referred to by my hon. Friend.

Blind/Partially Sighted People

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland suffer from (a) serious sight loss and (b) blindness.

Des Browne: Information is not available in the form requested.
	Information collected by the Department from Health and Social Services Trusts showed that, at the end of March 2002, there were around 2,200 people in Northern Ireland registered as visually impaired.
	During the financial year 2001–2002, there were 2,604 blind and 3,283 partially sighted people recorded by Trusts as being in contact with Social Services personnel.
	The numbers of registrations and the numbers of people in contact with Social Services are underestimates of the total number of people with a visual impairment, as not all such people are registered or in regular contact with Social Services.

General Practice

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what (a) area is covered by and (b) the greatest travelling time between doctor and patient is in each general practice out of hours co-operative in Northern Ireland.

Des Browne: The areas covered by each general practice out-of-hours co-operative in the four Health and Social Services Boards is shown in the table below. Also shown is the estimated greatest travelling time between patient and Co-operative.
	
		Eastern Health and Social Services Board
		
			 Out-of-Hours Co- OP Areas covered Estimated greatest travelling time 
		
		
			 Belfast Doctors on Call (BELDOC) North and West Belfast 30 mins 
			 South East Belfast Doctors on Call (SEBDOC) South and East Belfast 20 mins 
			 North Down and Ards Doctors on Call (NDADOC) North Down and Ards Peninsula 1 hour 
			 South Down Doctors on call (DOWNEDOC) South Down 30 mins 
		
	
	
		Southern Health and Social Services Board
		
			  
		
		
			 Association of Southern Area Doctors on Call (ASADOC) Moy Centre Armagh and Dungannon 1 hour 
			 ASADOC Moylinn Centre Craigavon and Banbridge 1 hour 
			 ASADOC Newry Centre Newry and Mourne 1 hour 
		
	
	
		Northern Health and Social Services Board
		
			  
		
		
			 Dalriada Doctors on Call(DALDOC) operates from 4 permanent out-of- hours centres in Ballymena, Coleraine, Moneymore and Newtownabbey and 2 part time in Antrim Hospital and Moyle Hospital Coleraine, Moneymore, Ballymena, Antrim and Newtownabbey 40 mins 
		
	
	
		Western Health and Social Services Board
		
			  
		
		
			 Foyle Doctors on Call (FOYLEDOC) Londonderry and Eglington 30 mins 
			 ROEDOC Limavady, Dungiven, Feeny and Claudy 35mins 
			 MOURNEDOC Strabane, Donemana, Castlederg and Newtownstewart 30mins 
			 WESTDOC Fermanagh, Fintona, Dromore, Drumquin, Carrickmore, Gortin and Plumbridge 30mins

General Practice

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) doctors and (b) practices are involved in each of the general practice out of hours co-operatives in Northern Ireland.

Des Browne: The number of doctors and practices involved in general practice out-of-hours co-operatives in each of the four Health and Social Services Boards is shown in the table below.
	
		Eastern Health and Social Services Board
		
			 Out-of-Hours Co- OP Number of GPs Number of Practices 
		
		
			 Belfast Doctors on Call (BELDOC) 63 22 
			 South East Belfast Doctors on Call (SEBDOC) 80 28 
			 North Down and Ards Doctors on Call (NDADOC) 79 29 
			 South Down Doctors on call (DOWNEDOC) 32 13 
		
	
	
		Southern Health and Social Services Board
		
			  
		
		
			 Association of Southern Area Doctors on Call (ASADOC) Moy Centre 63 22 
			 ASADOC Moylinn Centre 75 25 
			 ASADOC Newry Centre 51 22 
		
	
	
		Northern Health and Social Services Board
		
			  
		
		
			 Dalriada Doctors on Call(DALDOC) operates from 4 permanent out-of- hours centres in Ballymena, Coleraine, Moneymore and Newtownabbey and 2 part time in Antrim Hospital and Moyle Hospital 244 78 
		
	
	
		Western Health and Social Services Board
		
			  
		
		
			 Foyle Doctors on Call (FOYLEDOC) 71 16 
			 ROEDOC 20 7 
			 MOURNEDOC 23 6 
			 WESTDOC 55 25

Diabetes

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what action he is taking to increase screening for children and adults in cases where a family member has already been diagnosed as being diabetic.

Des Browne: No screening for diabetes in any children or adults takes place at present. The National Screening Committee, which is responsible for providing advice to Health Ministers on all aspects of screening policy, is presently developing proposals for research into the area of screening for type 2 diabetes among high-risk groups. The Committee has made a commitment to provide definitive advice on this topic to Health Department in 2005

European City of Culture

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what measures he proposes to advance the application of Belfast to be named European City of Culture.

Angela Smith: On 30 October 2002, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced the shortlist of six cities which were successful in being nominated as Centres of Culture and will now be under consideration for the final nomination of European Capital of Culture 2008 in Spring 2003.
	I regret that Belfast was not among the six cities shortlisted by the independent judging panel and therefore Belfast is no longer in competition for designation as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Personal Care

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Personal Care will be completed; when he expects to publish the report; and what public consultation he plans on its findings.

Des Browne: The Inter-Departmental Group's Report on Free Personal Care was forwarded to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on Thursday 8 August 2002. Following discussion at the Executive on 12 August, Ministers asked for further work to be undertaken. That work has not yet been completed. In any event, it is not possible at this stage to give any indication about the timing or subsequent handling of the report, since this is a matter which should be determined by the Executive.

Castlereagh Break-in

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many police officers have had to move home in response to the security threat arising from the break-in at Castlereagh Police Station; and what has been the cost to the taxpayer.

Paul Murphy: The PSNI has, to date, processed 92 SPED applications in relation to the break-in at Castlereagh. Information on cost for specific applications is not available. Under the SPED Scheme, a Chief Constable's certificate is sufficient for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to invoke the scheme, without the need for further background as to the individual or the actual incident concerned. However I can confirm that the total number of SPED applications accepted since April this year is 169 and the cost to date is #17.7m.

Business Manifesto

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the Business Manifesto issued by the Confederation of British Industry for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I welcome this Business Manifesto, which sets out how the CBI sees the important interaction between the public and private sectors to achieve a better economic future. The Manifesto addresses many of the issues which are of critical importance to the development of the Northern Ireland economy and which relate closely to the strategic priorities developed by the Economic Development Forum. I look forward, with my ministerial colleagues, to exploring the proposals contained in the Manifesto.

Law and Order Task Force

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the terms of reference are of the Law and Order Task Force; what its membership is; how frequently and where it will meet; what resources have been made available to it over the next two years; what body will provide its secretariat and staff; and what decisions the Task Force has made.

Paul Murphy: The terms of reference for the Law and Order Action Group are
	Xto monitor the effectiveness and co-ordination of action to combat crime and reinforce law and order in Northern Ireland."
	The Group will help support the independent operational agencies in their co-ordinated approach to tackling all aspects of crime. I chair the Group. The other members are Jane Kennedy, Des Browne, Lord Goldsmith, Rosie Winterton and their advisers. The Chief Constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions attended the first meeting on 24 September and will be invited to attend future meetings. The Group will meet on a regular basis, the location to be decided as appropriate for each meeting. No specific resources have been allocated to the Group. The Northern Ireland Office provides the Secretariat. The Group is taking a broad look at the crime spectrum; public order issues were discussed at the first meeting.

European Court Cases

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will place in the Library a copy of the paper delivered on 8 October to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in relation to the cases of Jordan, McKerr, Kelly and Others v. UK and Shanaghan v. UK; and it he will list the members of the group of officials established to consider the Government response to these cases.

Paul Murphy: Today, I have placed in the libraries of both Houses a copy of the package of measures sent to the Secretariat to the Council of Europe. On receipt of the judgements, an article 2 group was established to provide advice to Ministers on the judgements and the Government's response. The group consisted of Northern Ireland Office Officials and legal advisers, and representatives from FCO, MOD, Northern Ireland Court Service and the Attorney General's Office. Representatives of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions attended meetings to provide advice as to any practical implications that arose.

Police Service

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the cost was of organising and publicising the PSNI New Directions conference; what monies were expended on external consultancies and promoters; how many persons attended, broken down by sex and perceived community background; and if he will place the major speeches and papers from the conference in the Library.

Paul Murphy: The costs of the PSNI's conference (''New Directions: a human rights and racial equality focus on policing with ethnic minority communities'') have not yet been finalised but it is anticipated that the final costs will be approximately #60,000.
	About 230 delegates attended the conference which took place on 21 and 22 October, including my hon. friend the Member and Northern Ireland Office colleague, the member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun. Community background information was not sought from delegates but a list of the organisations invited to attend is below. From the register of attendance, the gender breakdown was approximately 50:50.
	Key speakers at the conference included: Hugh Orde, Chief Constable, PSNI; Lord Herman Ouseley, former Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality; Imran Khan, solicitor; Cressida Dick, Commander, Diversity Directorate in the Metropolitan police; Joe Stewart, head of human resources for the PSNI; Ravi Chand, President of the National Black Police Association; Maqsood Ahmed, Director of Diversity for the National Probation Service; Zelda Holtzman, Deputy Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, South Africa; and Sam Kinkaid, Assistant Chief Constable in the PSNI with responsibility for human rights issues.
	Representatives from all district command units in the PSNI were invited to attend the conference as well as representatives of the following groups:
	Al-Nisa Association of Northern Ireland
	Amnesty International
	An Garda Síchána
	Belfast Islamic Centre
	Belfast Travellers Education and Development Group
	Belfast Travellers Support Group
	British Irish Rights Watch
	Chinese Community Association
	Chinese Welfare Association
	Committee on the Administration of Justice
	Craigavon Vietnamese Club
	Concept 11
	Council of Europe
	Director of Public Prosecutions
	Equality Commission of Northern Ireland
	Indian Community Centre
	Mediation Northern Ireland
	Mid-Ulster Group
	Multi-cultural Resource Centre
	National Black Police Association
	Northern Ireland African Cultural Centre
	Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders
	Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities
	Northern Ireland Council for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
	Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action
	Northern Ireland Filipino Association
	Northern Ireland Gay Rights
	Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
	Northern Ireland Office
	Northern Ireland Pakistani Association
	Northern Ireland Policing Board
	Northern Ireland Victim Support
	Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister—Racial Equality Unit
	Office of the Oversight Commission
	Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
	Traveller Movement of Northern Ireland
	Wah-Hip Chinese Community Association
	Women of the World
	A conference report is being compiled which will contain any materials submitted by speakers and participants. This will be made available on the PSNI website in due course and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Police Service

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what consultancy fees (a) the Policing Board, (b) The RUC/PSNI and (c) the Northern Ireland Office have paid in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001 and to which companies; what the purpose was of the consultancy contracts; and what estimates he has made of consultancy fees for the next two financial years.

Paul Murphy: I will write to my hon. Friend.
	 A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Parliamentary Boundary Commission

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will announce the name of the newly appointed member of the Northern Ireland Parliamentary Boundary Commission.

Paul Murphy: I am pleased to announce that I have recently issued a Warrant of Appointment for the Northern Ireland Parliamentary Boundary Commission to Mr.Richard Mackenzie, CB. The appointment will run until 29 October 2006

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

East Timor

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the creation of a UN International Tribunal to bring to justice the major perpetrators of crimes against humanity during Indonesia's occupation of East Timor; and what discussions her Department has had with (a) the UN, (b) the USA and (c) the Government of East Timor concerning the establishment of such a Tribunal.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	In February 2000, the United Nations Security Council accepted Indonesia's pledge to conduct its own enquiry and prosecute those responsible for crimes committed in East Timor in 1999. This led to the establishment of an Ad Hoc Tribunal on 14 March 2002. As it is still considering several of the cases it would be premature to push for an alternative justice mechanism now. If we judge that it has not delivered justice we will certainly consider the case for an international tribunal with our EU partners and others in the international community. Officials in Washington and Dili have already discussed the idea of an international tribunal with US and UN officials and representatives of the East Timorese government.
	The East Timorese government with the assistance of the UN Special Crimes Unit is also investigating serious human rights violations that have taken place during the last 25 years. The East Timor Commission for Truth and Reconciliation which was established on 7 February 2002 is dealing with less serious violations.

Malawi

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the arrest and subsequent release of the leader of the opposition in Malawi; and what discussions she has had with the government of Malawi on the subject.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	The arrest on 20 October of Gwanda Chakuamba, President of the main opposition Malawi Congress Party, and three of his colleagues, followed the circulation of a letter purportedly detailing the ruling party's strategy on changing the Constitution to allow President Muluzi to run for a third term in office. Mr.Chakuamba was released by the court on bail the following day having been charged with libel, forgery and disseminating false information in connection with the letter.
	The proposal for a third term has generated intense political debate in Malawi. We and other international partners have urged that there should be broad consultation on the issue and that it should be conducted in an atmosphere free from violence and intimidation.

Health and Education

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of the UK's overseas aid budget is allocated to a) basic health provision and b) education.

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what percentage of her Departments budget has been allocated to (a) basic healthcare and (b) primary education in each year since 1997.

Clare Short: Since 1997 my Department has committed over #870 million to support education and #1.5 billion to support health care in partner countries. This represents 13 per cent. and 24 per cent. respectively of bilateral commitments over the same period. Of this, over #700 million went to primary education and #1.3 billion to basic health care, representing 11 per cent. and 20 per cent. respectively of bilateral commitments.
	These figures are based on the bilateral portfolio as a whole rather than annual allocations and could only be disaggregated at disproportionate cost. They do not include support for education and health provided through our multilateral contributions.

Rwanda/Uganda

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting between President Museveni and President Kagame in London last week.

Clare Short: President Museveni and President Kagame recommitted themselves and their Governments to the Understanding they signed last November in London on not interfering in each others' political and security affairs. They agreed to make more regular and effective use of the mechanisms that had been put in place to resolve differences and to avoid recourse to the use of the media. The UK agreed to continue to act as Third Party in this process.
	Equally importantly Presidents Museveni and Kagame agreed to work together to achieve peace and stability in the region. They urged President Mbeki of South Africa, as Chairman of the African Union, to convene an urgent Regional Summit to call on all parties to fully implement the Pretoria and Luanda Peace Agreements.
	Presidents Museveni and Kagame shared my deep concern at the situation in Burundi and agreed we should all work together, especially with the Governments of Tanzania and South Africa, to get a full cease fire and support the Transitional National Government under the Arusha Accords.

Water Supplies (Palestinian Territories)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the water security situation in the Palestinian Territories; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: Water has long been a major problem for rural Palestinian communities. The severe economic and social decline caused by closures and curfews has compounded the problem. Many villages without water networks are facing shortages, as water tankers cannot access villages, or people can no longer afford the escalating price of tankered water. The situation has been exacerbated by the recent Israeli ban on drilling for water in the West Bank. Households cope by going into debt, seeking alternative water sources (that are often not clean), and cutting back on consumption. All of these responses pose threats to family well-being. In conjunction with other donors, we are working with the Palestinian Water Authority, and a number of rural communities, to help improve water security. We are also supporting a study by PWA of the western aquifer water source, to assess its sustainable yield.

Lira Refugee Camp

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the overcrowding in the refugee camp in Lira, Uganda; what discussions her Department has had with non-governmental organisations working in the camp; what assessment her Department has made of the vulnerability of women as a result of the sleeping arrangements in the camp; how much aid her Department will give to Uganda in 2002–03; what plans her Department has to give aid to the refugee camp in Lira; and what assessment her Department has made of (a) starvation and (b) health levels of the refugees in the camp.

Clare Short: The circumstances faced by internally displaced people in Lira are of grave concern. We are monitoring the situation closely with international partners and the Government of Uganda, and are considering an appropriate response in the light of a detailed report recently issued from local NGOs.
	The total DFID aid programme for Uganda for 2002–03 is scheduled to be #75 million. In response to the recent escalation in insecurity, DFID has committed #450,000 for humanitarian supplies for internally displaced persons in Northern Uganda.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what strategies her Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Clare Short: My Department's Equal Opportunities Policy Statement makes it clear that DFID does not permit discrimination on grounds of age in either its recruitment or any of its other personnel management processes.
	The only age-related practice has been the operation of an age of retirement of 60—consistent with the normal retiring age specified in the Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme and with the purposes of section 109(1)(a) (i) of the Employment Rights Act 1996. However, agreement has recently been reached that, with the exception of the Senior Civil Service, staff may, if they so wish, continue to serve until age 65, which will make that the normal retiring age for the purposes of the 1996 Act.

European Bank of Reconstruction and Development

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what financial support her Department has given to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development in each of the last five years; and what support her Department will provide in the next three years.

Clare Short: As a shareholder (8.5 per cent.) in the EBRD, the UK Government makes payments towards its capital subscription in the Bank.
	As part of the General Capital Increase, agreed in 1996, my Department has made cash payments and issued promissory notes as detailed below:
	
		
			  Cash Element Promissory Notes 
		
		
			 1998 Euro 9,582,000 Euro 14,373,281 
			 1999 Euro 9,582,000 Euro 14,373,281 
			 2000 Euro 9,582,000 Euro 14,373,281 
			 2001 Euro 9,582,000 Euro 14,373,281 
			 2002 Euro 9,582,000 Euro 14,373,281 
		
	
	Over the next three years the following payments will be made:
	
		
			  Cash Element Promissory Notes 
		
		
			 2003 Euro 9,582,000 Euro 14,373,281 
			 2004 Euro 9,582,000 Euro 14,373,281 
			 2005 Euro 9,582,000 Euro 14,373,281 
		
	
	My Department has also provided grant funding to support EBRD's technical cooperation work. The EBRD has received the following contributions from DFID over the last five years:
	1998—#1,100,000
	1999—#300,000
	2000—#950,000
	2001—#1,690,125
	2002—#899,000.
	We have outstanding commitments of #1,813,000.

Intellectual Property Rights

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if the Government will recommend extending TRIPS implementation deadlines for all developing countries.

Patricia Hewitt: I have been asked to reply
	The TRIPS Agreement lays down procedures for extending implementation deadlines for the Least Developed Countries (LDC). The general implementation deadline is 2005 but an extension to 2016 was agreed for pharmaceutical products at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha. There is no specific mechanism for extending TRIPS implementation deadlines for all developing countries.
	The UK government works through the EU on issues relating to the TRIPS Agreement. The UK government supports the development of objective criteria to form the basis upon which extensions of TRIPS transition periods should be agreed. The UK government therefore supports the introduction into TRIPS of a mechanism for extending transition periods for individual developing countries.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Equal Pay

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister for Women, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Government's policies on reducing the disparities between men and women's pay.

Patricia Hewitt: Since the Equal Pay Act was introduced in 1970, the pay gap has reduced from 37 per cent to 19 per cent. today. Action taken by the Government to close the pay gap is having a positive impact.
	We are leading by example, through our commitment to equal pay reviews in the Civil Service. We are making it easier for women to get equal pay through changes in the Employment Act 2002. We are making it easier for employers to pay fairly through the work of the Fair Pay Champions and the Castle Awards. We are tackling the wider causes of the pay gap by helping mothers stay attached to the labour market, investing more resources in childcare, improving the skill levels of those already in the labour market and helping employers make the most of their female workforce.

HOME DEPARTMENT

War Memorials

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to protect war memorials in England and Wales.

Hilary Benn: With assistance from Friends of War Memorials, the Imperial War Museum, English Heritage, and others, we are tomorrow publishing a code of practice on the preservation and management of war memorials. A copy of the text is being placed on the Home Office web site and is in the Library. A leaflet will be available shortly.

Race Equality

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will publish the third edition of Race Equality in Public Services.

Beverley Hughes: I have today placed in the Library a copy of the document ''Race Equality in Public Services''. The publication shows a number of areas of general improvement in public service delivery and in representation of ethnic minorities in the public sector workforce.

Smoking (Public Places)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to ban smoking in public places.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government has no plans to ban smoking in public places. Instead, we want to work with businesses and others to achieve real change, highlighting and building on best practice. We have worked closely with the hospitality trade to develop a public places charter designed to provide customers with clear information on the type of smoking policy operating in a particular establishment and allow them to make an informed choice.
	Specifically aimed at local action, the Department this year has provided project funding to local tobacco control alliances to tackle health inequalities and passive smoking. Local alliances are promoting smoke free areas in workplaces and public places. These projects will be evaluated and examples of good practice will be shared across the tobacco control alliance network.

Passports (Hong Kong)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received from Sir James Hodge concerning the status of BNOCO BDTC passports in Hong Kong.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not received any representations from Sir James Hodge, HM Consul General in Hong Kong about the status of BN (0) passports in Hong Kong. Sir James, however, has received two approaches from the Indian Community on this subject.

Immigration Control

Terry Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to improve immigration control to ensure that people coming into the United Kingdom do so in accordance with the Immigration Rules.

Beverley Hughes: The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that those who seek to migrate to the United Kingdom do so properly under the Immigration Rules, and that those who do not have such grounds are prevented from doing so.
	Throughout this year there has been an increase in the number of Zimbabwe nationals who on arrival at UK ports are found to be inadmissible. Therefore, from 00.01 hours on Saturday 9 November we will require nationals of Zimbabwe to obtain visas to come to the United Kingdom. Zimbabwe nationals will also have to obtain a Direct Airside Transit Visa when they intend to remain airside while in transit through the United Kingdom.
	To avoid any undue hardship for those who have already made their travel plans, we have agreed to the operation of the following grace period. From 00.01hours on 9 November to 23.59hours on 15 November, any Zimbabwe national who purchased their ticket on or before 7 November and is travelling to the UK on a direct journey from Zimbabwe, will not be refused entry solely on the basis of not holding a valid visa.

Engagements

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to meet Governor Ridge, the Head of Homeland Security, on his visit to the United Kingdom, and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: I met Governor Ridge and his staff yesterday and will have further meetings with them today for a discussion of the current terrorist threat and the measures we are both taking in response. To assist Governor Ridge, I have prepared a briefing paper on the UK dimension, a copy of which is available in the Library and on the website www.homeoffice.gov.uk/new.htm.

National Insurance Numbers

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects the Department of Work and Pensions to make progress in respect of delays in issuing national insurance numbers and consequent non-payment of housing benefit.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	In April 2001, the Department introduced an Enhanced National Insurance Number Process to provide more secure procedures for the allocation of national insurance numbers (NINOs) to adults living in the UK. These tighter controls combined with an increasing number of applications have regrettably led to delays in allocating permanent NINOs. Jobcentre Plus is addressing this through a national recovery plan implemented in April this year. We expect the backlog of applications to be fully cleared by March 2003.
	However, the payment of Housing Benefit is not dependent on a customer having a NINO, as long as sufficient information and evidence of identity is provided for a NINO to be traced or allocated. Once the local authority is satisfied that this has been provided, and that all other conditions of entitlement have been met, Housing Benefit should be paid.

SCOTLAND

Firefighters' Strike

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what preparations she has made to ensure the safety and continuity of service to the public in the event of a firefighters' strike; and what the cost is to the Department of these actions.

Helen Liddell: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my rt. hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions, on 28 October 2002, Official Report,columns 527W. The cost of providing emergency cover in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive and will depend on the extent and nature of any industrial action.

Skills Migration

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the impact of regional gross domestic product disparity of skills migration.

Helen Liddell: The Government are working to increase wealth in all parts of the UK. Economic stability and sound public finances provide the foundation for rising prosperity.
	The decision to migrate is affected by many factors that contribute to the quality of life.

Parliamentary Questions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to her from hon. Members in this session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

Helen Liddell: No parliamentary questions or letters from hon. Members remain unanswered at the end of this session.

Unemployment

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates her Department has made of the sectors which have contributed to the change in unemployment in Scotland in the last seven months.

Helen Liddell: Sectoral Labour Force Survey employment data are not seasonally adjusted. However, over the past year employment growth in Scotland has been driven by the Banking, Finance and Insurance sector and the Public Administration, Education and Health sector. In the last six months the main growth sectors have been Energy and Water and Agriculture and Fishing. However, performance in these sectors is affected by seasonal variation.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture Regulations

Mr. Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many regulations have been introduced in each year since 1992 related to agriculture.

Alun Michael: This information is not available in the form requested as it would involve looking at all legislation, both E.C. and UK, introduced by different Government Departments to consider whether it related to agriculture. Such information could only be assembled at disproportionate cost.

Focus Group Research

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what use she and her Department has made of focus group research since June 2001; if she will identify for each research project the topics covered, the person or organisation carrying out the research, and the total cost; and if she will publish the research on her Department's website.

Alun Michael: The Department makes use of focus group research to gain a better understanding of the public and stakeholder perception of many of its projects. Records of this type of research are not held centrally for Defra, its Executive Agencies or NDPBs and the cost of this research is normally subsumed within the total cost of a project. Further information and costs could only be obtained at a disproprtionate cost.
	Below is a table of focus group research that can be identified from our records.
	
		
			 Research Project/ Topic Organisation/Person Web 
		
		
			 Foot and Mouth Disease Focus Group Research Andrew Irving Associates / COI To be published on Defra Website 
			 Public Perceptions Concerning Vaccination FMD Case Study Professor Glynis M. Breakwell Summary to be published on Defra Website 
			 Improving the public awareness and understanding of flood risk. Consortium lead by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick Ltd To be published on completion 
			 The appraisal of the intangible human health related impacts of flooding Risk and Policy Analysis Ltd To be published on completion 
			 Water-based Sport and Recreation—the facts The University of Brighton Published on Defra Website 
			 Sustainable Development Community Issues Groups IPPR Decision pending 
			 Sustainable Development Stakeholder Seminars Green Alliance Decision pending 
			 Illegal Imports Campaign Solutions Strategy Research / COI Decision pending 
			 Defra Corporate Identity Bamber Forsyth- Fitch Decision pending

Community Rail Partnerships

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on Community Rail partnerships in rural areas in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03 to date.

Alun Michael: Community Rail Partnerships are supported financially through the Rural Transport Partnership programme, administered by the Countryside Agency on behalf of Defra. The Strategic Rail Authority also allocates #12,500 per annum to Community Rail Partnerships, currently up to September 2003. Annual spending by the Countryside Agency is shown below, which includes funding to the Association of Community Rail Partnerships for providing advice on improving platforms at rural railway stations.
	
		
			  Countryside Agency 
		
		
			 2000–2001 #48,629 
			 2001–2002 #128,634 
			 2002–2003 #79,081 (Spent up to October 31)

Rural Expenditure

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 587W, on rural expenditure, to the hon. member for SouthEast Cornwall (Mr. Breed), how much was (a) available, and (b) spent in (i) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (iii) 2002–03 to date through the following, the (A) Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, (B) Local Heritage Initiative, (C) Support for Rights of Way, (D) Doorstep Greens, (E) Millennium Greens and (F) Walking the Way to Health schemes, broken down by region.

Alun Michael: This information is not readily available. I have asked whether it can be collected and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Organic Products

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what legislation governs the sale of products labelled as organic; and what bodies are responsible for (a) implementation of and (b) inspections related to such legislation.

Michael Meacher: EC Council Regulation 2092/91 (as amended) sets out the labelling requirements, which must be used in organic farming and growing, and the inspection system, which must be put in place to ensure this.
	All food sold as organic therefore must originate from growers, processors and importers who are registered with a body approved by the United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) and subject to an annual inspection by these bodies.
	The sale of products labelled as organic is governed in England by The Organic Products Regulations 2001 (2001 No. 430). Local Authorities have enforcement powers to implement these Regulations.

Farm Incomes

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average farm income was (a) in 1997 and (b) at the most recent available date in real terms.

Elliot Morley: Expressed in real terms at 2001–02 prices, average net farm income in England was #17,400 in 1997–98, and #11,400 in 2001–02. This last figure was a forecast made last January.
	The final figure for 2001–02 will be published on 28 November and the forecast for 2002–03 will be released on 30 January.
	Net farm income is defined as the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their labour and on the capital of the business

Dairy Farming

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support and assistance she is providing to dairy farmers.

Elliot Morley: Annual EU expenditure on the Dairy CAP runs at almost 2 billion euro. Over the last year, mindful of the difficult market situation in the dairy sector, measures have taken in Brussels, backed by the Government, to increase support in the sector. For example, export refunds have been increased for skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder and butter to help encourage exports by making up the difference between Community and world prices. Despite this considerable expenditure, the farmgate price of milk remains below the level at which many dairy farmers can make the investment required to sustain their business. This clearly shows that the current Dairy CAP is failing farmers and is in need of reform.
	We believe that a sustainable future for dairy farming is best secured through the recommendations in the Report of the Policy Commission on the Future of Food and Farming, together with the Milk Task Force Report. The Government has already announced measures to take forward some of the recommendations in the Policy Commission Report and we will publish our Sustainable Agriculture Strategy shortly. Furthermore, my noble friend Lord Whitty has convened a number of meetings of an informal dairy supply chain group, including representatives of dairy farmers, which has addressed issues of concern to those in the dairy supply chain that came out of these reports. This group is also likely to consider how the industry can best address any lessons that emerge from the ongoing KPMG study on the structure of the UK dairy sector and milk pricing, which was commissioned by the Milk Development Council.

Recycling

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has undertaken to investigate funding of doorstep recycling schemes.

Michael Meacher: We have commissioned no specific research on this topic. However, the Strategy Unit of the Cabinet Office are currently reviewing waste issues, including the costs of delivering the diversion from landfill to which we are committed. This takes account of door-step recycling. We expect their report to be published very shortly.

Home Energy Efficiency

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment has been made by her Department of the cost and potential savings at a different initial levels of energy efficiency of property of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme;
	(2)  what assessment has been made by her Department of the cost effectiveness of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in reducing fuel poverty amongst owner-occupiers and private sector tenants;
	(3)  what (a) assesment she has made, (b) discussions she has had or plans and (c) representations she has received in relation to the research conducted by the institute of Fiscal Studies on the cost-effectiveness of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme;
	(4)  what assessment (a) has been made and (b) is planned of the effects of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme on reducing fuel poverty (i) to date and (ii) under the fuel poverty strategy.

Michael Meacher: The information requested will take time to collate and I will write to the hon. Member shortly. I will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Home Energy Efficiency

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will estimate how many households would be taken out of fuel poverty if their properties were to be improved by the average SAP rating achieved by Warm Front and Warm Front plus assistance;
	(2)  what funding (a) was available for the Warm Front scheme in 2001–02 and 2002–03 and (b) will be available in 2003–04; how such funding relates to the annual budgets set out in the statement of 30 November 2000, Official Report, column 765; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what research has been carried out into the match between fuel poverty and eligibility for Warm Front assistance; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  which of her Department's Public Service Agreements relate to fuel poverty reduction; and what progress has been made in achieving them;
	(5)  what assessment has been made of the administration costs incurred by the two Warm Front scheme managers in terms of (a): cost effectiveness and (b): efficiency programmes;
	(6)  in how many cases private sector landlords have been obliged to repay costs of heating and insulation installations as a result of properties that have bene fited from Warm Front no longer being occupied by eligible tenants;
	(7)  what progress has been made on establishing a common definition of fuel poverty for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland;
	(8)  what training is undertaken by individuals providing advice to households under the Warm Front scheme; and what formal qualification verifies that the adviser is a skilled and competent person;
	(9)  how many households are eligible for (a) Warm Front grants and (b) Warm Front plus grants; and by how many these numbers would be increased if there were to be 100 per cent take up of the qualifying benefits;
	(10)  what resources are expected to be expended on domestic energy efficiency improvements over the next three years through (a) the Warm Front Programme, (b) the Energy Efficiency Commitment, (c) capital budgets of local authorities and (d) Registered Social Landlord energy efficiency programmes.

Michael Meacher: The information requested will take time to collate and I will write to my hon. Friend shortly. I will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Abattoirs

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on supporting small and medium sized abattoirs in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03 to date, broken down by category of support.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 31 October 2002
	Information relating specifically to small and medium sized abattoirs is not readily available without incurring a disproportionate cost. However, actual spending and spending in the pipeline (2002–2003 to date) on the abattoir sector is as follows:
	
		#'000s (to nearest thousand)
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 to date 
		
		
			 Rural Enterprise Scheme — — 6 
			 Processing and Marketing Grant — 27 516 
			 Agricultural Development Scheme 11 — —

Radioactive Waste

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she received the latest annual report from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee; what response she has made; and what plans she has to make changes to its membership.

Michael Meacher: The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's 2002 annual report was supplied on 30 October 2002. No response has yet been made to it. The Managing Radioactive Waste Safely consultation paper considered possible changes in the Government's advisory machinery in the radioactive waste management area. Future membership needs of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee have yet to be decided in light of the outcome of that review.

Radioactive Waste

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the list of prospective sites for the disposal of radioactive waste drawn up by NIREX.

Michael Meacher: There is no current list of prospective sites for the disposal of radioactive waste drawn up by NIREX. Any such historical list does not have any bearing at all on current considerations of disposal policy.

Weeds Act

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the amount of ragwort growing in the UK; and if she will propose amendments to the Weeds Act 1959 to include commercial equine activities.

Alun Michael: Defra has provided funding totalling #420,000 to underpin the preparation of The New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. This divides the country into ten by ten kilometre squares and charts the distribution of plants, including Ragwort across Britain and Ireland. The New Atlas, which was published in September, shows that the general distribution of Ragwort has not changed since the 1962 Atlas was prepared.
	Under the Weeds Act 1959, primary responsibility for weed control rests with the occupier of the land on which the weeds are growing. Where there is a risk that one of the five injurious weeds to which the Act applies might spread, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs can serve a notice on the occupier of the land requiring action to be taken to prevent its spread. Under section 1 of the Act the authority to serve a notice applies to any land.
	Defra will consider all complaints about the spread of weeds but in determining what action to take, priority is given to those complaints where there is a threat to farmland or land that is being used for the keeping of horses as part of a diversified farm business.

Parliamentary Questions/Correspondence

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to her from hon. Members in the current session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

Alun Michael: My Department anticipates answering all parliamentary questions that have been tabled during this session by the rising of the House today.
	The Cabinet Office publishes a report to Parliament on an annual basis, setting out the volume of Members' correspondence received by Departments. The Report for 2001 was published on Friday 24 May, Official Report, column 677W. Copies of previous reports are available in the Library of the House.
	The table below shows the number of letters in my department which had not received an answer at 5 November.
	
		
			 With a Received Date Between Number 
		
		
			 1 & 2 months 135 
			 2 & 3 months 138 
			 3 & 4 months 69 
			 4 & 6 months 64 
			 greater than 6 months 119

Plant Health Directive

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Directive 2002/36/EC (OJ L116, 3 May 2002) as it relates to measures in the United Kingdom; and in what circumstances, as per Recital 8, (a) applicant states and (b) OCTs are included as European states for political definitions.

Michael Meacher: Directive 2002/36/EC amends the technical annexes to the Plant Health Directive (2000/29/EC) to provide better protection against the introduction into, and spread within, the EC of a number of serious pests and disease of plants. Three new pests are added to the list of those which are prohibited. The scope of the plant passport regime, which governs movements of plants within the Community, and the scope of import controls on plants from outside the EC, are extended to reflect more accurately the wide range of host plants attacked by some listed pests. The amendment also strengthens measures to ensure that plants are free from Bemisia tabaci before entering the area recognised as a Xprotected zone" for that pest (which includes the whole of the UK). Directive 2002/ 36/EC will be implemented in the UK by amendments to the Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1993 and the Plant Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1993.
	Decisions on listing countries and regions in the Annexes of the Plant Health Directive are based on their plant health status. In the case of Malta and Cyprus the ranges of plant pests and diseases which occur in those countries are known to be similar to those of continental Europe. Conversely the EC Overseas Countries and Territories are treated separately from European territories, according to Article 1.1 of the Plant Health Directive, because of the different pest risks in those territories.

Agricultural Wages Board

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she plans to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: No.

ARBRE Energy

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is towards the recovery of grants paid to ARBRE Energy in respect of the Eggborough power station.

Margaret Beckett: Under the Energy Crops Scheme, grants to plant crops are payable to growers. In the case of crops to provide fuel for the ARBRE power station, the Department was asked by the growers to make the payments to ARBRE Energy. The scheme requires that crops are used to produce energy, and the Department would be required to consider recovering grant from growers where crops are used for other purposes. It is too early to consider this as discussions on the future of ARBRE are continuing. In addition, if it does become necessary, the Department will work closely with growers to access the alternative energy markets which are being developed.

British Cattle Movement Service

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what investigation she has made of delays in sending out claims forms by the British Cattle Movement Service; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The British Cattle Movement service does not send out any claim forms. Its work does not involve directly the processing or payment of subsidy claims. The orgnisation deals only with the registration and tracing of cattle and when a fully correct birth registration is received, I understand that the organisation issues cattle passports the next day.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her most recent estimate is of annual emissions of carbon dioxide in the UK; and what the level was in 1997.

Michael Meacher: The UK's carbon dioxide emissions in 2000, the last year for which confirmed data are available, were 152.1 million tonnes of carbon, compared to 152.5 million tonnes of carbon in 1997. A provisional estimate of carbon dioxide emissions for 2001, based on energy use, was published by the Department for Trade and Industry in March in its XEnergy Trends" publication. This estimated that carbon dioxide emissions were 154.4 million tonnes of carbon, approximately 6 per cent. below the UK's 1990 baseline emissions of 164.4 million tonnes of carbon.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what future reductions in CO2 emissions are expected by 2010 as a result of Government policy in (a) the domestic sector, (b) transport, (c) industrial sector, (d) the tertiary sector, (e) the public sector and (f) other changes.

Michael Meacher: The Government have estimated that the additional policies and measures in the UK climate change programme, published in November 2000, could by 2010 reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the domestic sector by at least 7.8 million tonnes of carbon; in the transport sector by 5.7 million tonnes of carbon; in the business sector, which includes both the industry and commerce, by at least 4.5 million tonnes of carbon; and in the public sector by at least 0.5 million tonnes of carbon. Other policies, which includes afforestation and those policies that cut across sectors, could achieve further savings of 2.6 million tonnes of carbon.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will commission an independent analysis of the likelihood of current Government policies being able to deliver a 20 per cent. cut in CO2 by 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: It is estimated that the quantified policies and measures identified in the climate change programme could lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 19 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. Carbon savings, which have not been quantified, from additional policies in the programme, could help us achieve our domestic goal. There will be a formal review of the climate change programme in 2004, which will be an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of existing policies and, if necessary, to develop new ones.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what her assessment is of the change in carbon dioxide emissions that will result from households switching to digital television and the use of set-top boxes;
	(2)  what progress has been made (a) on the Government sustainability index on climate change and (b) towards the Government's domestic target for a 20 per cent. reduction in CO2 emissions based on 1990 levels; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: (a) The latest figures for the Headline Sustainable Development Indicator for Climate Change were published in a Defra Statistical Press Release on 28 March. Emissions of the 'basket' of six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol, weighted by global warming potential, fell by 13.2 per cent. between the 1990 base year and 2000, the last year for which confirmed data are available. There was no change between 1999 and 2000. The UK has a target under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008–12. We remain on course to achieve this target.
	(b) A provisional estimate of carbon dioxide emissions for 2001, based on energy use, was published by the Department for Trade and Industry in March in its Energy Trends publication. This estimated that carbon dioxide emissions were 154.4 million tonnes of carbon, approximately 6 per cent. below the UK's 1990 baseline emissions of 164.4 million tonnes of carbon.

Cold Sector (Energy Efficiency)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Energy Efficiency Index targets have been set for the United Kingdom cold sector as part of the market transformation programme; and what role has been played by the Department in (a) setting and (b) meeting the targets.

Michael Meacher: The Market Transformation Programme (MTP) does not itself set targets, but operating largely in the public domain, seeks to establish and maintain an informed consensus on the risks, potential and scope for achieving sustainable beneficial market changes over time (e.g. increased volume sales of energy efficient appliances or elimination of inefficient products by specified dates) and, in parallel, on the detailed policy measures and other actions necessary to achieve those changes, taking into account underlying trends, timing and wider issues. In that regard, my Department both sponsors and participates in MTP's open consultations on feasible market transformation targets and it seeks to negotiate integrated programmes of policy measures to meet them. These include, for example, EU directives to label and to set minimum standards for domestic refrigeration, voluntary agreements with industry on improvement targets, public domain product procurement information, the promotional programmes supported by the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust, including the Energy Efficiency Recommended scheme, the Energy Efficiency Commitment and Enhanced Capital Allowances.

Cold Sector (Energy Efficiency)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) discussions she has had, (b) representations she has received and (c) meetings she has attended in relation to energy efficiency improvements by the cold sector.

Michael Meacher: The Department has on-going dialogue with business and other stakeholders on the potential for energy savings in the cold sector and on the practical strategies and policy measures that could help deliver these. In particular, discussions have taken place and representations received from business, enforcement agencies and other EU member states under the aegis of the Energy Efficiency Partnership, the Market Transformation programme, and in response to formal consultations on such matters as EU mandatory energy labelling and voluntary industry agreements. Recently, my officials have attended meetings held by the Energy Saving Trust, the Market Transformation Programme, and by the European Commission.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to reply to the letter dated 4 March from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent, Mr. A. Rogers of Banff.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 17 April 2002
	I am sorry that the hon. Member has not yet received a response to his letter. I have asked that this be looked at as a matter or urgency so that I may reply shortly.

Correspondence

Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will respond to the letter of the hon. Member for Hexham of 25 April, ref 168998.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 2 July 2002
	I am sorry that the hon. Member has not yet received a response to his letter. I have asked that this be looked at as a matter of urgency so that I may reply shortly.

Correspondence

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will answer the letters of 11 June and 13 August from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Borders on behalf of Mrs. J. Kerr of Wigton, Cumbria.

Alun Michael: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be responding to this letter shortly.

Countryside Agency

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the budget for the Countryside Agency is for 2002–03; and how it is allocated among the Agency's main projects.

Alun Michael: The Agency's total budget for 2002–03 is #93 million. Its main projects, including Vital Villages, are as follows (with estimated programme spend this year):
	
		
			  # million 
		
		
			 Market Towns 2.49 
			 Rural Transport Fund 10.11 
			 Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund 4.8 
			 Local Heritage Initiative 1.68 
			 Support for Rights of Way 1.35 
			 Doorstep Greens 1.24 
			 Millennium Greens 0.44 
			 Walking the Way to Health 1.42

Countryside Agency

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the next review of the Countryside Agency's funding will be.

Alun Michael: Funding for the work of the Countryside Agency is decided as part of the corporate planning process.

Energy Policy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the White Paper on Energy Policy.

Brian Wilson: I have been asked to reply.
	I plan to publish the Energy White Paper in the New Year.

Farm Mapping

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedure will be followed if farmers disagree with field size calculated by digital mapping.

Alun Michael: Farmers are being given the opportunity to check and agree the areas digitised. If they are unable to agree with the field size calculated, they will be asked to provide evidence in the form of a suitably qualified surveyors report to support the size that they believe it to be.

GM Fish

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the continuing development of GM fish.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 28 October 2002
	The release and marketing of GMOs in the EU is governed by European Directive 2001/18/EC. In England, Directive 2001/18 is implemented by part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2002. The devolved Administrations for Scotland and Wales are responsible for implementing Directive 2001/18 in their respective territories.
	The above legislation covers any proposed release of GM fish into the environment for research or commercial purposes, including any proposed release of GM fish in nets, tanks or cages in the sea or in rivers, lakes or streams. Before any such release could go ahead, it would have to be authorised by a consent from the relevant authority. Decisions on whether or not to allow a release would be based on a detailed assessment of any risks that may be posed by the GMO to human health or the environment in each case. It is difficult to envisage any circumstance in which a release of GM fish would be authorised in England.
	There are no GM fish being held in aquatic net-pens in the UK and no approval has yet been sought or granted for the commercial production of GM fish.
	The Department for International Development is funding research on GM techniques that may accelerate the growth rate and confer sterility in tilapia, a freshwater fish widely farmed in Africa and Asia. This work is being carried out by the University of Southampton in strictly controlled contained tank conditions in accordance with GMO (contained use) legislation. It is designed to provide a better understanding of how poor producers and consumers in developing countries could benefit, and to help these countries to decide for themselves whether they want to use the techniques.
	At the fifth North Sea Conference at Bergen in March 2002, Ministers also agreed to take all possible actions in accordance with the requirements of Directive 2001/18/EC and comparable national legislation, to ensure that the culture of genetically modified marine organisms is confined to secure, self-contained, land-based facilities in order to prevent their release to the marine environment.

Halons

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has undertaken to ascertain whether halons from fire-extinguishing systems made illegal after 2003 should be (a) destroyed and (b) recycled to critical users.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 28 October 2002
	In October 1998, WS Atkins and the Halon Users National Consortium (HUNC) produced a report for the former DETR entitled, XAssessment of the Use of Halon in the United Kingdom". This estimated that about 81 tonnes of Halon 1211 and about 238 tonnes of Halon 1301 would be decommissioned from fire-extinguishing systems by the end of 2004. Assumptions made by the consultants estimated that about 20 per cent. of the Halon 1211 and about 60 per cent. of the Halon 1301 would be recycled. The remainder would be destroyed.

Halons

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of Halons remain in service in the United Kingdom, and of this tonnage, how much comprises (a) H1301 and (b) H1211.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 28 October 2002
	In 2000, the European Commission produced XA Strategy for the Management and Elimination of the Use of Halons in the European Community". For the UK, it was estimated that 300–315 tonnes of Halon 1301 and 162 tonnes of Halon 1211 were installed in fire-extinguishing systems. In addition, it was estimated that 400 tonnes of Halon 1310 and 180 tonnes of Halon 1211 were held in stock.

Halons

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure atmospherically friendly products are being promoted as a preferable option to fire extinguishing systems which contain HFCs.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 28 October 2002
	The Government issued the UK Climate Change Programme in November 2000, and its publication was widely publicised. The programme sets out the key elements of the Government's policy on HFCs to enable industry and users to make investment decisions with more certainty. These elements include that HFCs should only be used where other safe, technically feasible, cost-effective and more environmentally acceptable alternatives do not exist, and that HFCs are not sustainable in the long term. The Government have a voluntary agreement with the UK fire-fighting industry in order to reduce emissions of HFCs and PFCs, which is currently under review.
	In May 2001, jointly with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department issued guidance to the industry and users entitled, XPhase out of Halons: Advice on Alternatives and Guidelines for Users of Fire Fighting and Explosion Protection Systems". The guidance suggests a range of alternatives to ozone-depleting halons, including systems using water, carbon dioxide and foams.

Household Waste

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times a week she recommends household rubbish collections should take place; and what measures are in place to ensure that such collections take place.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 29 October 2002
	Section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a duty on each waste collection authority to arrange for the collection of household waste in its area. It is up to each authority to decide on the most appropriate method and frequency of collection, and the resources required.
	The waste collection authority will need to monitor the service to ensure that it is delivered in the manner they have prescribed. Ultimately, a waste collection authority can be referred to the local authority ombudsman if it is deemed to be failing to fulfil its statutory duty in this area.

Household Waste

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities have systems for recycling household waste from the doorstep; where they are located; and what plans there are to introduce doorstep recycling in all authorities.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 29 October 2002
	We are clear that there needs to be a significant increase in kerbside recycling. We have provided significant extra funds to local authorities through the standard spending assessment and a separate ring-fenced fund for recycling and waste minimisation. We are currently assessing the second tranche of bids for funding from that budget. The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit is currently reviewing waste strategy and its funding and is due to report shortly.
	The following 288 local authorities reported that they undertook some form of kerbside recycling scheme in the 2000–01 Municipal Waste Management Survey.

Market Transformation Programme

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library copies of the minutes from meetings of the Market Transformation Programme, attended by her Department.

Michael Meacher: The Market Transformation Programme works by engaging with stakeholders who have policy interests across a range of product and service sectors, mainly by exposing its analysis of issues and illustrative strategies to public scrutiny and open consultation, and doing this largely through internet communication. From time to time the contractors who service this programme for the Department hold meetings with experts and other interested parties (eg, from business, NGOs, research organisations and Government Departments) to help build consensus on the relevant data and analysis. No formal minutes are made of such discussions, but the outcomes of all consultations are reflected in updates to the documented analysis, the position papers and the programme action plans, which are all published for the Department on the programme's public domain website, www.mtprog.com. In addition, the Department holds meetings concerned with the steering and management of the programme's work, as distinct from its content. These meetings are minuted and I will arrange for copies of the minutes and supporting papers covering the most recent meeting to be placed in the Library of the House.

Peninsular Proteins Ltd.

John Burnett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will make a decision in respect of an appeal by Peninsular Proteins Ltd. against a refusal to grant a licence to operate their rendering plant at Great Torrington; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 29 October 2002
	A letter, outlining the decision which the Department proposes to make in respect of the appeal by Peninsular Proteins Ltd., will be sent shortly.

Plastic Products

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has for reducing householders' use of plastic products that are not biodegradeable.

Michael Meacher: We are concerned that re-use and recycling of plastic remains very low and that non-biodegradeable plastic remains in and litters the environment almost indefinitely. A substitute for plastic made from potato starch is now being developed, which is being used for some types of packaging by some retailers. Such material is entirely biodegradeable and can be composted. A number of companies are marketing degradeable plastics technology and products manufactured from these materials. These new technologies are based on modified plastics manufactured from mineral oil and still have to be sent for recycling after use. But we do strongly support the development of boidegradeable plastics made from non-fossil sources.

Plastic Products

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultation she is undertaking on the introduction of a charge for plastic bags given out in shops; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	Taxes are a matter for the Chancellor.

Sellafield Discharges

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,what action will be taken to eliminate the discharges of Technetium-99 from Sellafield into the Irish Sea.

Michael Meacher: Following a decision in 1999 to reduce the technetium-99 discharge limit from 200 TBq/year to 90 TBq/year, Ministers requested the Environment Agency to carry out a review of technetium-99 discharges from Sellafield. The Agency published its proposed decision concerning these discharges on 20 September 2001 and set out various actions that, subject to technical problems being overcome, and HOUSE being content about the safety implications, could be undertaken to reduce the current technetium-99 discharge limit to 10 TBq/year by 2006. The Agency's proposed decision is currently under consideration by the Secretaries of State for Health and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who jointly have the decision-making responsibilities in this area. We expect that their response to the Agency's proposals will be published shortly.

SF6 Emissions

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department regulates the use of SF6 and its emissions in electricity transmission and distribution in the United Kingdom.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 28 October 2002
	The Government do not regulate the use of SF6 from the electricity transmission and distribution sectors. Emissions from electrical insulation currently account for less than 20 per cent. of the UK's total emissions of SF6. While there has been a small increase in emissions from this sector since 1995, and they are forecast to continue increasing until 2010, estimated emissions reduction in other sectors are projected to offset this increase and lead to a fall in total SF6 emissions of about 3 per cent. between 1995 and 2020.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) assessment has been made and (b) discussions have taken place, or are planned by her Department, of the political declarations emerging from the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg from (i) the Inter-Parliamentary Union, (ii) local government groups and (iii) regional government groups.

Michael Meacher: The relevant declarations are (i) the declarations by parliamentarians at the session organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU); (ii) the declaration by local government representatives at the session organised by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI); and (iii) the declaration by regional government representatives at the regional government event (known as the Gauteng Declaration).
	We are in the process of assessing the contents of these declarations, and will discuss their implications with the relevant stakeholders, including how they might contribute to sustainable development in the UK.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in relation to the role of local government in the delivery of objectives agreed at the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg; and what the outcomes of the discussions have been.

Michael Meacher: Discussions have begun with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and other Government Departments about how to take forward the UK's commitments from WSSD at the local, national and international level. There are many aspects to consider and we anticipate these discussions continuing for some time.
	We will be launching a major review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy in the new year. We will use this opportunity to consult stakeholders, including local authorities, on action to implement the Johannesburg commitments across the UK.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason the UK did not have a stand at the Umbuntu Village and the NASREC exhibition space at the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Michael Meacher: After careful consideration, the UK Government decided not to have a stand at Umbuntu Village as we believed that the benefits to be gained from exhibitioning did not justify the use of the limited human and financial resources we had available.
	NASREC was the location for the Global People's Forum, which ran in parallel to the main summit, and was a forum for all forms of civil society to coalesce and discuss sustainable development. It was not a forum for Governments to exhibit. I visited it during the WSSD Conference and spent half a day there. I also visited Umbuntu Village twice.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken to develop national coalitions to assist in the delivery of (a) outcomes of the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and (b) additional non-binding agreements or pledges made by the UK Government relating to the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Michael Meacher: The United Kingdom Government are co-operating with like-minded Governments, both bilaterally and through international institutions such as the United Nations, European Union and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to assist the delivery of the outcomes of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development and related non-binding commitments which it has made.
	Such co-operation will not necessarily involve the development of publicly identified 'coalitions'. However, at Johannesburg the EU member states and a number of like-minded countries, commonly referred to as the 'Renewable Energy Coalition', made a declaration on XThe Way Forward for Renewable Energy". This commits us to work together to further develop and promote renewable energy technologies and substantially increase the global share of renewable energy resources; and to work with others to achieve this goal, especially through partnership initiatives and through forthcoming international conferences.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to (a) attend and (b) support events relating to outcomes of the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Michael Meacher: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is committed to follow-up the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) both at a national and international level. Within the UK, Defra is supporting numerous events on the outcomes of WSSD, these include stakeholder meetings to discuss follow-up action in the UK, a Conservation Foundation workshops on WSSD looking at the local dimension, the Royal Institute of International Affairs General Meeting on the outcomes of WSSD, a DEMOS seminar on sustainable business and a keynote speech by my right hon. Friend the Secondary of State for Defra on the outcomes of WSSD at the Associate Parliamentary Environment Group Christmas reception.
	The Department is also committed to attending numerous international meetings, particularly at EU and UN level, relating to the outcomes of WSSD.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which individuals and organisations who were consulted by her Department in relation to (a) Prepcom meetings and discussions relating to the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg; and (b) the negotiations and involvement of the UK Government delegation at the World Summit.

Michael Meacher: The Department for Environment, Food and rural Affairs (Defra) worked closely with various stakeholder groups in our preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Consultations with civil society were through umbrella organisations such as UNED-UK and the BOND Network (British Overseas NGOs for Development).
	Defra engaged with the business community and the Prime Minister instigated five sectoral initiatives in March 2001, which were partnerships for the delivery of sustainable development between Government, civil society. Stakeholders groups, including NGOs, local authorities and business were invited to be part of the delegation at the Prepcoms and at the summit itself.
	Negotiations at the summit were inter-governmental. However, daily UK delegation meetings and regular briefing sessions with civil society enabled non-governmental stakeholders to feed in their views.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to (a) develop a system for monitoring of and (b) produce guidelines for Type II agreements relating to the delivery of objectives relating to the delivery of (i) sustainable development and (ii) outcomes of the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Michael Meacher: Defra negotiators were instrumental in the development and adoption by the UN of a set of guiding principles for Type II partnerships at the fourth Preparatory Committee meeting for WSSD in Indonesia in May this year. We also fought extremely hard for the inclusion of relevant text in the Plan of Implementation agreed at Johannesburg, with the result that the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) has been mandated to develop a follow-up mechanism for partnerships.
	Domestically, a policy lead has been identified for each of those Type II partnerships in which the UK Government are involved. These include officials from FCO, Forestry Commission, DfID and DTI in addition to Defra.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list Type II agreements in place relating to the delivery of (a) sustainable development and (b) outcomes of the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Michael Meacher: I refer the hon. Member to the UN website for the World Summit on Sustainable Development which lists more than 600 Type II partnerships (http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/html/sustainable-dev/partnership-initiatives.html).
	The UK Government instigated or was involved in more than 20 partnerships developed for WSSD. Those that were registered as formal Type II partnerships are:
	UK-led Water Partnership—Partners For Water and Sanitation (PAWS)
	UK-led Sustainable Tourism Initiative (STI)
	EU Water Initiative—Water for Life
	EU Energy Initiative—'Energy for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development'
	Global Village energy Partnership (GVEP)
	Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development
	Partnership For Principle 10 (Environmental Democracy)
	Oceans Initiative: XWhite Water to Blue Water: A Crosscutting Approach to Regional Oceans and Coastal Ecosystem Management"
	Congo Basin Forest Partnership
	Japanese led Asian Forest Partnership
	Details of these, and the other partnerships in which we are involved, are available on the Government sustainable development website (http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/wssd/).

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent measures her Department has taken to ensure that the National Building Standards (Government Works) standard has been amended to reflect Government policy on timber procurement; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: My officials contacted the National Building Specification, a trading name of RIBA Enterprises Ltd., on 1 October drawing their attention to the timber scoping study report (published on the internet at http://www.forestforum.org.uk), and asking them to consider reviewing the NBS (Government Works) standard format to reflect Government policy on its own timber procurement. The Government committed Departments and their agencies in July 2000 actively to seek to procure their timber and timber products from legal and sustainably managed sources.
	The National Building Specification does not contain specification clauses for the procurement of timber. It is left to the specifier to decide the content of the specification because currently, NBS considers the issue of sustainability complex, imprecise and the subject of conflicting information. However, general guidance to the National Building Specification refers to advice from the Forests Forever Campaign, that was established in 1990 by the Timber Trade Federation. This says: X. . . as yet there is no internationally agreed definition of, or accepted criteria for, 'sustainability'. At present a supplier may only be able to provide evidence that timber comes from a 'sustained yield' source i.e. managed to provide a continuous supply of timber . . .".
	NBS is compiling a dossier on the subject of timber procurement and has agreed to meet officials to discuss the issue. In the meantime, we have asked Government Departments to ensure that anyone employed by Government on any construction, maintenance or supplies contract is made aware that the Government's policy on timber procurement should be complied with when drawing up specifications. This message will be reinforced by an Information Note to be issued by the Office of Government Commerce shortly.

Veterinary Surgeons and Students

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many unqualified people have been found guilty of impersonating a veterinary (a) surgeon and (b) student in each of the last 10 years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 24 October 2002
	(a) Two. The first in 2001 and the second in 2002. (b) None.

Village Halls

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to improve funding arrangements for village halls; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Central funding for village halls, from the recent Government and the National Lottery has increased substantially in recent years. About #10 million per year was available in the 1980s, which increased to around #50 million per year in the late 1990s, largely due to the contribution from the Millennium Fund which funded over 500 village halls and community centres to the value of nearly #100 million. That programme was specifically intended as an injection of extra funds over the millennium period and has benefited many local communities. Since the millennium the annual assistance to village halls remains three times the previous level at approximately #33 million per year now.
	It must be remembered that the finances of village halls have traditionally come from local sources with come support from central government and that this Government have been active in encouraging local action. While this approach has been productive the contribution of central government must not be seen as an alternative to local leadership and fund raising.
	Nevertheless the Government are working with stakeholders to quantify the funding needs of village halls and how best to meet these needs. My officials met representatives of Action with Communities in Rural England and others on 22 October to discuss how available funds, from central and local government and the lottery distributors, can best support local investment in village halls and the services and facilities they provide for their local communities. I shall be meeting the National Village Halls Forum during November.

Waste Dumping

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulations there are and how they can be enforced by (a) the Environment Agency and (b) local councils, to prevent developers dumping contaminated waste on sites that are being recontoured and are not licensed tips.

Michael Meacher: The disposal and recovery of waste is regulated primarily through the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, for which the Environment Agency is the competent authority and primary regulator. Paragraph 9 of schedule 3 of the 1994 regulations allows certain types of material to be spread to land for the purposes of reclamation or improvement under an exemption from waste management licensing. This material includes soil, rock, ash or sludge, or waste from any dredging of inland waters or arising from construction or demolition work. The material can only be spread provided it meets the requirements of Article 4 of the Waste Framework Directive ie to ensure protection of the environment and human health.
	Any activity being carried out under this exemption must be registered with the Environment Agency, and failure to adhere to the 'general rules' of the exemption is an offence that is punishable by a fine if convicted in court.
	The Government will be consulting shortly on amendments to some exemptions (including paragraph 9). These amendments are being designed to tighten the requirements and to prevent abuse of the controls.
	Along with the Environment Agency, local authorities have more general powers under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in relation to fly tipping, ie depositing controlled waste without a waste management licence ore registered exemption. In the event of a conviction, severe penalties are available to the courts including an unlimited fine or imprisonment of up to five years.

Waste Incinerators

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many waste incinerators are planned by waste disposal authorities; what the capacity is of each incinerator planned; and what information she collates on the contractual arrangements for waste disposal.

Michael Meacher: There are at present 14 municipal solid waste incinerators in the whole of the UK, two of which are in Scotland. Details of facilities where planning applications are determined by local planning authorities are not held centrally.
	There are many hundreds of other incinerators for sewage sludge, hazardous waste, clinical waste, production waste from factories etc. In England and Wales, the larger plant generally is regulated by the Environment Agency and details of their locations are available on the Environment Agency's public register. Other plant that is part of another process regulated by the Agency may not be shown separately on the register. Smaller plant is regulated by local authorities. In Scotland, all such plant are regulated by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
	A new plant will need planning permission to start construction and a PPC permit to start operations. The table gives the number and status, as at 21 August 2002, of new municipal waste incineration plants in England and Wales. The table contains information shared with the Environment Agency by prospective applicants for pollution control permits. There may also be other planning applications or amendments which have been submitted to local authorities over which the Agency has not been consulted. The planning status may have been changed since the data were supplied.
	The Department does not routinely collect information on contractual arrangements for waste disposal. It is the responsibility of waste disposal authorities to make appropriate contractual arrangements with respect to their requirements for waste disposal.
	
		
			 Operator Location Size: t/yr Planning status Permit status 
		
		
			 NEWLINCS Developments Grimsby 56,000 Granted IPC authorised—PPC application to be submitted 
			 Onyx Portsmouth 165,000 Granted after appeal IPC authorised—PPC application expected this year 
			 Onyx Marchwood, Southampton 160,000 Granted IPC authorised—PPC application being determined 
			 Surrey Waste Management Capel, Surrey 116,000 Granted, but subject to judicial review PPC permit issued 
			 Grundons Slough 400,000 Granted IPC authorised—PPC application expected 
			 Onyx Chineham, Surrey 110,000 Granted PPC permit issued 
			 HLC Waste Management Services Neath, Port Talbot 85,000 Granted PPC permit issued 
			 Waste Recycling Group Hull 150,000 Application refused—planning appeal in progress PPC permit issued 
			 Kent Enviropower Maidstone, Kent 500,000 Granted PPC permit being determined 
			 Riverside Resource Recovery Belvedere, London 500,000 Refused IPC authorised 
			 Shanks Milton Keynes 353,000 Application submitted PPC application to be submitted if planning permission granted 
			 Onyx Sheffield 225,000 Application submitted PPC application determined 
			 Sita Ridham Dock, Kent 200,000 Subject to a planning appeal No application 
			 County Environment Services Roche, Cornwall 64,000 Application submitted No application

Web Sites

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the web site links associated with her Department, including sites now dormant or closed, and indicating whether they are live, dormant or closed; what the start up costs were for each site listed; what the operating costs were in each year since start up for each site; which company hosted each site; what assessment takes place for each site; which company does the assessment; if she will place the assessment reports in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: In addition to its overall strategic functions, Defra has a range of specialist responsibilities in the fields of environment, food, animal welfare, agriculture and rural policy. Website links therefore range from small or specialist sites established by the Department (or its predecessors) and its agencies and NDPBs for specific purposes to DEFRA's own main website and those of its agencies and NDPBs. We are also checking whether joint sites have been established with other organisations by operational units within Defra or within its agencies and NDPBs.
	The information requested is currently being collated. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Children in Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what action she is taking to raise the educational standards of children in care.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 15 October 2002
	We are committed to raising the educational standards of all children, including those who are in care, in order to build a fair and inclusive society. In May 2000 we issued comprehensive Guidance on the Education of Children and Young People in Care to help local authorities, in their role as corporate parents to raise the educational attainment of children and young people in public care and to bring them closer in line with those of their peers. The Department seeks through it's policies to help LEAs work towards achieving the PSA target set by the Department of Health that, by 2004, 15 per cent. of children leaving care at age 16 or over shall have achieved at least 5 GCCEs at grade A*-C.
	The Guidance is backed up by an Implementation Programme, Education Protects, which is jointly supported by the DfES and the Department of Health. Currently, a team of advisors work with ten networks of Lead Officers for Children in Public Care across the country.
	The Implementation Team is also gathering examples of best practice to help inform future work locally and nationally. Examples of best practice will shortly be disseminated through the upgraded Education Protects DfES website.
	We are currently consulting on a revised School Admissions Code of Practice that will require all admission authorities in their over subscription criteria, to give top priority to looked after children, after children with statements of special educational needs.
	For 2002–03 there is #10 million in the DfES Standards Fund to raise the achievement for children in public care and sick children. A new #20 million Capital Modernisation Fund scheme to increase access to information technology for children in and leaving care is available over the 2 financial years 2002–03 and 2003–04. The money is being distributed as part of the Department of Health's Quality Protects programme. This is on top of the overall budget of #885 million made available over 5 years for the Department of Health's children's services quality protects grant.
	The Social Exclusion Unit are are currently undertaking a project looking into the educational achievement of children in public care. We will be considering any recommendations made when their report is published. This is currently expected to be in December 2002.

Firefighters' Dispute

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what preparations she has made to ensure the safety and continuity of service to the public in the event of a firefighters' strike; and what the cost is to the Department of these actions.

Stephen Twigg: My Department has set up an Incident Team representing all policy and services directorates led by a senior Board member. The Team is liaising closely with central Government to keep abreast of updates on the situation outlined by my right hon. Friend, the Ministery for Local Government and the Regions in his answer to this question of the 28 October 2002 Official Report, column 527W. Briefing has been circulated to all Local Education Authorities, colleges and universities. Further communications will be sent as appropriate. Risk Assessments have also been carried out on departmental premises and specific measures introduced to safeguard people—which include large numbers of visitors as well as staff—on strike days.
	The cost of providing emergency cover will depend on the extent and nature of any industrial action.

Ethnicity Statistics

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how ethnicity is measured by schools and local education authorities and what checks are carried out to ensure the accuracy of those figures.

Stephen Twigg: In January this year the Department issued to LEAs updated guidance on how schools should obtain and record pupils' ethnic group. This guidance was prompted in part by a new ethnic group classification introduced by the 2001 national Census of Population, which meant that all existing information had to be re-collected on this new basis. The main features of the guidance are:
	once the re-collection exercise is complete, information for new pupils to be collected on first entry to school, and then passed on from school to school;
	information to be collected via parents, who, in the case of pupils aged 11 or over, are encouraged to involve the pupil in the decision;
	any refusal to provide information must be respected. However if a parent merely fails to respond to the school's enquiries, the school may, subject to certain conditions, ascribe an ethnic group based on its own best judgement. In these cases the fact that the information has been derived in this way, rather than provided by the parent or pupil, must be recorded;
	LEAs have discretion to adopt a more detailed ethnic group classification where necessary to meet local monitoring needs (within a framework specified by the Department).
	The steps taken to ensure the accuracy of the information obtained and recorded by schools under the new guidance are:
	the guidance was drawn up following extensive discussions with the Commission for Racial Equality and the Information Commissioner, and a major consultation exercise involving (amongst others) the teacher unions, LEAs and a sample of schools;
	great emphasis has been placed on the need for LEAs to take the lead in ensuring that their schools implemented the guidance fully and correctly, and have all the advice and support necessary to enable them to do so;
	each LEA has been asked to nominate and notify the Department of a senior officer within authority who will take overall responsibility for implementation of the guidance, and all authorities have now done so. Feedback on progress has been obtained through these contacts, and further guidance or clarification issued as required;
	an explanatory leaflet (with translations into 14 languages) has been produced by the Department for distribution by schools to parents. A model letter and completion form for parents has also been provided for schools' use;
	a dedicated website (www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/ethnicminorities) has been set up through which all guidance and key documents (including translations) can be viewed and downloaded;
	LEAs have been required to submit to the Department for approval any refinements of the national ethnic categories which they propose to adopt for local monitoring purposes in order to ensure that consistency of data at national level is maintained;
	the Department has worked very closely with the suppliers of management information systems to schools and LEAs to ensure these systems are developed in order to store and process the new data correctly, and enable it to be transferred electronically from school to school as pupils move.
	The new information will be collected by the Department for the first time in the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC) taking place in January 2003. These data will be analysed closely to verify that they accord with the guidance. Any apparent gaps or anomalies will be taken up with the LEA concerned.

Connexions Card

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the estimated annual cost is of the Connexions card; and what the card has cost so far.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 6 November 2002
	The Connexions Card contract is valued at #109.7m over seven years.
	Due to the agreed implementation plan the annual cost of the Card is not a fixed amount per annum. The #109.7m is spread as follows (these figures are subject to annual review);
	
		
			 Financial Year 01–02 02–03 03–4 04–5 05–6 06–7 07–8 08–9 
		
		
			 Annual Budget (#m) 14.5 15.5 14.5 14.0 13.6 13.6 13.1 10.9 
		
	
	To date, the Card has cost #18.9m.

Connexions Card

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, which third party organisations and companies have (a) received and (b) bought information contained on the Connexions card.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 6 November 2002
	Only the Connexions Service has received information contained on the Connexions Card. No third party organisation or company has bought information contained on the Connexions Card.

Connexions Card

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether information held on individuals who have Connexions cards has been passed on to third parties (a) for no consideration and (b) for a consideration.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 6 November 2002
	Only the Connexions Service has been passed information held on individuals who have Connexions Cards and this is for no consideration. No information held on individuals who have a Connexions Card has been passed to a third party for a consideration.

Connexions Card

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many Connexions cards have been issued.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 6 November 2002
	As of 5 November, there have been 175,161 Connexions Cards issued.

Connexions Card

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how old the youngest person is who has received a Connexions card.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 6 November 2002
	The youngest person who has received a Connexions Card is 14 years old.

Connexions Card

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what information can be held on an individual who uses a Connexions card.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 6 November 2002
	The young person's name, date of birth and photo is shown on the Card and their name, date of birth and unique Connexions Card number are recorded on the chip.
	In addition to the above information, each young person's record on the Connexions Card database holds details of the learning centre(s), attendance, points collected and redeemed, and rewards chosen.

Recruitment (Over 50s)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of new recruits to his Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

Stephen Twigg: Some 3.5 per cent. of new recruits to the Department for Education and Skills since 9 June 2001, when the Department was established, were aged 50 and over.

Parliamentary Questions/Correspondence

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to him from hon. Members in this session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

Stephen Twigg: There are no Parliamentary Questions tabled to this department which are over a month old. Information on letters from hon. Members is not collected in this format and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Cabinet Office, publishes a report to Parliament on an annual basis, setting out the volume of Members' correspondence received by departments. The Report for 2001 was published on Friday 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 677W. Copies of previous reports are available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Staff

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many staff have been employed at his Department in each year from 1995–6 to 2002–3; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: The staffing numbers—as at 1 April in each year—are given below.
	To note: Two numbers are given for the year 1995 as the Employment Department and Department for Education were then separate Departments. The numbers for 1996 to 2001 are for the Department for Education and Employment. Those for 2002 are for the Department for Education and Skills.
	
		
			 Year Staff numbers 
		
		
			 1995— 4,890 (Employment) 
			 — 1,630 (Education) 
			 1996— 5,050 
			 1997— 4,480 
			 1998— 4,500 
			 1999— 4,560 
			 2000— 4,970 
			 2001— 5,430 
			 2002— 4,820

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what public consultations have been commenced by his Department in each month since 10th July; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Stephen Twigg: A list of the public consultations undertaken by my Department since 10 July, 2002 is attached. Information includes the start dates and closing dates as requested. The website address for all public consultations is www.dfes.gov.uk.consultations.

Departmental Funding (Huntingdon)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the projects to which his Department has allocated funding in the Huntingdon Constituency since 1997, indicating the amount in each case.

Charles Clarke: My Department does not allocate funding at constituency level. The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Details of overall allocations for all my departmental programmes are listed at table 4.2 in the Departmental Annual Report.

Online Centres

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many United Kingdom online centres (a) have been and (b) are intended to be established in Scotland.

Ivan Lewis: The UK online centres initiative is administered by the Department for Education and Skills and covers England only. The devolved administration in Scotland has an equivalent project details of which can be found on their website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland/

LEA Costs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his answer of 23 October, Official Report, column 383W, on LEA costs, what, in real terms, was (a) the total cash not devolved by each LEA to schools and (b) the total cash spent by the LEA on its staff and other overheads and administration, in each year from 1996–97 to 2002–03; what the annual real growth rate of such expenditure was in each LEA; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The information requested is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member when I am able to reply and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Bramwood County Primary School

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when he expects to be able to give Surrey County Council section 77 consent in respect of approval for sale of the former Bramwood County Primary School in Surrey.

David Miliband: The Department has no record of a Bramwood County Primary School in Surrey. The Department has, however, received an application from Surrey County Council for the Secretary of State's consent to sell the site of the former Barnwood Primary School. The application will be considered by the School Playing Fields Advisory Panel as soon as Surrey County Council provides the additional information that has been requested.

Criminal Records Bureau

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the abolition of Criminal Records Bureau checks for school governors.

David Miliband: In the light of the continuing problems being encountered by the Criminal Records Bureau, checks on school governors have been suspended for the foreseeable future. General advice was posted on the Department's School Governors' website on Monday 4 November. Further guidance for registered bodies will be issued shortly.

Criminal Records Bureau

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what amendment he intends to make to the School Governance (Constitution) Regulations to abolish the requirement for Criminal Records Bureau checks.

David Miliband: The School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2003 are currently out for consultation. The suggested wording in Schedule 6 on disqualifying governors from holding, or continuing to hold, office is triggered by an individual's refusal to agree to an application being made for a criminal records certificate when a request is made. While this wording does not in itself require all governors or potential governors to automatically undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check we will consider whether this disqualification should be removed or reworded before the Regulations are laid next spring.

Criminal Records Bureau

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many school governors have (a) received and (b) not received a Criminal Records Bureau check.

David Miliband: Information on the number of newly appointed and re-appointed school governors who either have received or have not received a Criminal Records Bureau check is not routinely collected by the Department.

Criminal Records Bureau

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when his Department will publish guidance to registered bodies about the postponement of Criminal Records Bureau checks as set out in the announcement made on 1 November.

David Miliband: In the light of the continuing problems being encountered by the Criminal Records Bureau, checks on school governors have been suspended for the foreseeable future. General advice was posted on the Department's School Governors' website on Monday 4 November. Further guidance for registered bodies will be issued shortly.

Criminal Records Bureau

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many school days were lost owing to teachers being unable to gain clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau before the first day of this school year in (a) Cambridgeshire and (b) East of England.

David Miliband: We do not hold this information.

School Staff (Legal Actions)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the settlement reached in the case of Higginson v. Cheshire County Council;
	(2)  what guidance he has given to LEAs on informing governing bodies of the outcome of legal actions involving the authority and past or present members of a school's staff: and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The conclusion reached in the case of Higginson versus Cheshire County Council is a matter for the parties concerned. My Department has not, to the best of my knowledge, issued advice to LEAs on disclosure of the outcomes of legal actions to governing bodies where such actions involve members of school staff.

Modern Apprenticeships

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what progress he has made in increasing the use of modern apprenticeships.

Ivan Lewis: There are currently 100,000 more young people on Advanced Modern Apprenticeships and Foundation Modern Apprenticeships than at the same time in 1998. The Government has published a target for 2004 for at least 28 per cent. of young people to start a Modern Apprenticeship by age 22. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has a lead role in meeting the target and has in place robust plans to do so. It is working closely with the Connexions Service, the new Sector Skills Councils and others to increase demand for places from both young people and employers. The LSC and Ministers are advised on MA developments by a Board made up of employers and others. New publicity campaigns are underway, including one aimed at employers which began last week.

IT Skills Shortages

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what recent representations he has received from (a) right hon. and hon. Members, (b) trade associations and employers organisations and (c) training companies, concerning higher level skills shortages in the information technology sector.

Ivan Lewis: I have not received any significant representations on higher level skills shortages in the Information Technology (IT) sector in the last six months. Skills deficits in the sector have declined from their peak in 1999 when the Stevens report, ''Skills for the Information Age'' highlighted these issues. Since that time, an #8 million programme of measures has been put in place to improve the image of the IT industry, build greater understanding of the labour market and strengthen links between education and industry.

Grant-maintained Schools

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the former grant-maintained schools which are parties to operating leases in respect of buildings.

David Miliband: The information is not held centrally. Decisions in respect of operating leases were a matter for the governing bodies of former grant maintained schools.

Examinations (Irregularities)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many cases of irregularities with SATs results and tests were reported to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in each local education authority in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002 to 10 October; and how many investigations were carried out by the QCA into these reports.

David Miliband: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has made a concerted effort to raise awareness of the need to report every event, which could lead to an allegation of malpractice or maladministration in national tests. This has led to an increase in the number of events reported. All such reports are logged, but not all merit further investigation. Reports which do not normally require further investigation would include, for example, where a school has received its test pack with the external sealing damaged.
	The total number of events reported to the QCA and investigated by the QCA in each of the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			  2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Events reported to QCA 147 270 479 
			 Cases investigated by QCA 47 59 96 
		
	
	The breakdown of these totals by Local Education Authority is still being compiled. I shall write to my hon. Friend with this information when it becomes available and place a copy in the library.

School Boredom

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the causes of the boredom suffered by British secondary school pupils in the classroom.

David Miliband: There are various factors which can lead to boredom in secondary school classrooms, including: lessons which are not challenging enough; lessons that do not cater for pupils with special educational needs; lessons that recover old ground; lack of progress on transition to secondary school; pupils' lack of awareness of their learning goals; and perceived lack of relevance of the curriculum to pupils' personal goals.
	We believe good teaching and a good curriculum are the best ways to engage and motivate pupils. We have introduced a wide range of strategies to improve teaching and learning, including our widely-acclaimed Literacy and Numeracy Strategies. Since September 2001 we have been implementing our new strategy to improve the attainment of 14 year olds (the Key Stage 3 Strategy). There have already been major improvements: OFSTED now rate nearly 70 per cent. of lessons as good compared with 40 per cent. five years ago.

Learning and Skills Council

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the members of the board of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Council of the Learning and Skills Council, indicating (a) their place of residence and (b) those of them who represent or serve on local district, city or county councils.

Margaret Hodge: The board members of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Learning and Skills Council, are as follows;
	
		Learning And Skills Council Herefordshire And Worcestershire -- Council Member names, sector representation and residence location
		
			  
		
		
			 Mr. C Swan (Business) Chairman of LSC Herefordshire and Worcestershire Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire Work: Herefordshire Mrs. C Bucknell (Further Education) Hereford Work: Warwickshire 
			  
			 Mr. A Curless Executive Director of LSC Herefordshire and Worcestershire Ross on Wye, Herefordshire Work: Herefordshire Mr. N Pringle (Local Authority Chief Executive Officer) Bredwardine, Herefordshire Work: Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 
			  
			 Mr. N Bromley (FE College Principal) Bromsgrove, Worcestershire Work: Worcestershire Mr. N Price OBE (Regional Development Agency Representative) Kidderminster, Worcestershire Work: Worcestershire 
			  
			 Cllr D Wicksteed (Councillor, Worcestershire County Council) Worcester Work: Worcestershire Mr. John Worker (Business) Pershore, Worcestershire Work: Worcestershire 
			  
			 Mr. R Quallington (Voluntary) Little Witley, Worcestershire Work: Herefordshire And Worcestershire Mr. Stuart Houghton (Business) Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire Work: Herefordshire 
			  
			 Mr. P Bannister (Trade Union) Bromsgrove, Worcestershire Work: Worcestershire Mr. Mark Day (Business) Redditch, Worcestershire Work: Worcestershire 
			  
			 Mr. N Helme (Business) Leominster, Herefordshire Work: Herefordshire Vacant post advertised for school Headteacher from either Herefordshire or Worcestershire.

Graduate Employment

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many students graduated from university and how many graduates gained employment in the region in which they graduated, broken down by region in each year since 1995.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Full-time UK domiciled first degree graduates from HE institutions in England
		
			  Year of graduation: 
			  1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Graduates from HEIs in: 
			 North 10,080 10,216 10,550 10,702 10,859 11,052 10,864 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 20,319 21,523 22,218 21,689 22,722 23,458 23,320 
			 East Midlands 14,910 16,282 15,353 16,818 16,849 16,569 16,241 
			 East Anglia 4,453 4,739 4,744 4,560 4,635 4,744 4,716 
			 South East 27,717 33,581 33,796 32,970 33,372 30,928 30,853 
			 Greater London 29,630 28,633 27,573 27,080 27,231 29,500 28,919 
			 South West 13,595 13,811 14,492 14,762 15,112 15,720 15,308 
			 West Midlands 15,544 17,076 16,859 16,942 17,398 17,123 17,370 
			 North West 21,948 22,594 23,261 22,772 23,259 24,191 24,180 
			 Percentage gaining employment in their region of graduation(27)
			 North 11.7 16.0 22.6 23.8 23.3 24.7 27.5 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 14.1 18.6 21.2 21.7 22.6 22.8 24.1 
			 East Midlands 4.3 5.0 7.8 19.0 18.1 18.8 20.0 
			 East Anglia 2.0 3.8 5.4 8.4 10.3 10.1 11.4 
			 South East 11.7 12.5 18.0 25.6 24.3 24.8 25.9 
			 Greater London 12.5 11.5 16.6 24.8 30.5 26.0 29.2 
			 South West 10.3 12.4 14.8 21.4 21.0 21.9 22.1 
			 West Midlands 10.7 10.5 16.3 18.8 19.9 21.0 21.4 
			 North West 9.4 10.3 12.0 21.2 24.7 28.1 31.7 
		
	
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency's First Destination Record.
	(27) In the early years of the time series, not all graduates specified the region in which they obtained employment, and this has contributed to the lower employment rates in these years.

Departmental Costs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what his estimate is of the gross administrative costs of his Department in (a) cash and (b) real terms in each year from 1995–96 to 2002–03; what the growth rate was of each category of expenditure in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: The information requested is set out in the table below; the figures for the Department include Sure Start and the Children's Fund. The information for 1995–96 is not available in the form requested.
	
		(a) DfES Gross Administrative Costs—Cash (#000s)
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 DEL 248,103 220,825 206,650 213,987 212,834 217,326 219,170 
			 AME 2,561 6,752 6,998 4,404 8,767 8,269 8,649 
			 Total 250,664 227,577 213,648 218,391 221,601 225,595 227,819 
			 Growth rate n/a -9% -6% 2% 1% 2% 1% 
		
	
	
		(b) DfES Gross Administrative Costs—Real Terms @ 2002–03 Prices
		
			  
		
		
			 DEL 288,051 248,707 226,520 229,017 222,846 222,759 219,170 
			 AME 2,973 7,605 7,671 4,713 9,179 8,476 8,649 
			 Total 291,024 256,311 234,191 233,731 232,025 231,235 227,819 
			 Growth rate n/a -12% -9% 0% -1% 0% -1% 
		
	
	Note:
	DEL figures relate to the Departmental Expenditure Limit
	AME figures relate to Annually Managed Expenditure

Education Finance (Cheshire)

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many representations he has received from residents of (a) Cheshire and (b) Macclesfield constituency registering their response to his Department's review of revenue grant distribution; when he expects to announce his decision following his Department's consultation; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government on 6 November.

Student Bursaries

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many opportunity bursaries have been awarded to students from each Government Office region in the academic years (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

Margaret Hodge: In 2001–02, 6,580 Opportunity Bursaries were allocated to students from Excellence Challenge areas entering higher education in England. In 2002–03, 8,210 new Opportunity Bursaries were allocated for those entering HE in England.
	Information on the allocation and uptake of Opportunity Bursaries by government office regions is unavailable.

Child Care Facilities

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) day nurseries, (b) childminders and (c) out of school clubs there were on 31 March and what percentage of these were provided by the private sector.

David Miliband: We are unable to provide a breakdown on providers as requested, however information on the number of places is shown in the following table.
	
		Number of, and places in, day care providers by type(28) -- EnglandPosition at 31 March 2001
		
			  Number Places 
		
		
			 Day nurseries(29) 7,800 285,100 
			 Registered childminders(29) 72,300 304,600 
			 Out of school clubs(30) 4,900 152,800 
		
	
	Notes:
	(28) Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	(29) Day nurseries and childminders provide care for children under eight years of age.
	(30) Out of school clubs provide care for five to seven year old children.
	Latest figures on Day Care facilities in England were published by the Department in the Statistical Bulletin ''Children's Day Care facilities at 31 March 2001 (08/01)'' in October 2001, a copy of which is available from the Library. An electronic copy of this publication is also available on the Department's web-site (www.dfes.gov.uk/ statistics).

Child Care Facilities

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much of the Sure Start Rural Fund was spent in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03 to date, broken down by project.

David Miliband: holding answer 31 October 2002
	There is no separate fund identified from Sure Start's resources for rural areas. We have to date, however, approved 13 full Sure Start programmes where the catchment area covers predominantly rural areas.
	The expenditure committed to each programme, by year is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Round Programme Approved revenue grant (#000) Capital 
			   2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 1 South Fenland 718 629 805 905 
			 1 East Cleveland 469 597 645 791 
			 2 East Bolsover 218 723 733 163 
			 3 Berwick — 319 621 839 
			 3 Restormel China Clay — 441 466 800 
			 3 East Lindsey — 325 589 750 
			 3 West Allerdale — 375 737 761 
			 3 Kington and Leominster — 350 629 800 
			 3 North Devon — 276 654 800 
			 3 Oswestry — 441 715 800 
			 4 North East Derbyshire — 140 480 750 
			 4 Staffordshire Moorlands — 180 450 750 
			 4 West Somerset — 109 500 750 
			   
			  Total grant funding #1.405m #4.905m #8.024m #9.659m 
		
	
	The capital funding shown above was based on the capital strategy submitted by each programme, and is intended to fund major capital projects in the first three years of the programme. An additional #250,000 per programme may also be available to the programmes, if needed, to meet further capital expenditure in year 4 and 5 or earlier.
	We have also established a pilot initiative of 50 smaller Sure Start programmes (48 programmes approved to date) in rural areas and pockets of deprivation, which would not normally be covered by the traditional Sure Start model. These programmes are managed through Early Years Childcare and Development Partnerships and linked to Neighbourhood Nurseries, Early Excellence Centres or other existing provision to deliver Sure Start-type services to some 150–170 children in each catchment area. Revenue funding up to #100,000 for each year and capital of up to #250,000 is available. The total budgeted provision for these programmes in 2002–03 is #10.25m. 48 of the 50 Mini Sure Start programmes have now been approved.
	A list of the local authority districts where the 50 Mini Sure Start programmes are located is shown below.
	
		
			 Local Authority Number of small Sure Start programmes for rural areas and pockets of disadvantage 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire 1 
			 Buckinghamshire 1 
			 Cambridgeshire 1 
			 Cornwall 3 
			 Cheshire 1 
			 Cumbria 3 
			 Derbyshire 2 
			 Devon 3 
			 Dorset 1 
			 Durham 2 
			 East Sussex 1 
			 Essex 1 
			 Gloucestershire 1 
			 Hampshire 1 
			 Hertfordshire 1 
			 Leicestershire 1 
			 Lincolnshire 3 
			 Norfolk 3 
			 Northamptonshire 1 
			 Northumbria 2 
			 North Yorkshire 1 
			 Nottinghamshire 1 
			 Oxfordshire 1 
			 Shropshire 1 
			 Somerset 2 
			 Staffordshire 1 
			 Suffolk 2 
			 Surrey 1 
			 Warwickshire 1 
			 West Sussex 1 
			 Wiltshire 2 
			 Worcestershire 1 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 1 
			 Herefordshire 1 
			  
			  50

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what strategies his Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Stephen Twigg: I will write to my hon. Friend when the information is available and will place a copy of my reply in the Library.

Staff Recruitment

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much has been spent in recruiting staff to his Department in (a) London and (b) the south east in each year since 1997.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 4 November 2002
	I will write to my hon. Friend when the information is available and will place a copy of my reply in the Library.

Higher Education

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the annual real terms funding per student in higher education has been in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what projections he has made of the annual real terms funding per student in higher education in each year until 2010.

Margaret Hodge: holding reply 31 October 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

Higher Education

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when he will publish his annual grant letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Margaret Hodge: The grant letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England will be published in due course.

Higher Education

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the overall financial position of the higher education sector in each of the last three years; and how many institutions were in (a) surplus and (b) deficit in each of those years.

Margaret Hodge: The table shows the overall financial position of the publicly funded higher education sector in England and the number of institutions with deficits in the last three years for which information is available.
	
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Total income #m 9,915 10,402 11,069 
			 Operating surplus #m 173 125 44 
			 Number of HEIs in deficit 28 52 48 
		
	
	In 2000–01, there were 130 higher education institutions funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Higher Education

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what research he collates on the correlation between higher education expenditure and changes in Gross Domestic Product.

Margaret Hodge: Data for OECD countries shows a positive correlation between the proportion of GDP spent on higher education institutions and levels of Gross Domestic Product. It is difficult to isolate the impact of higher education on growth due to the many other things which determine economic growth. Evidence suggests that higher education is more important for growth in developed countries than other levels of education. The returns from higher education enjoyed by individuals are high. For example, graduates earn around 64 per cent. more than non-graduates. Participation in higher education generates wider social benefits such as improved health and reduced crime. Research also suggests that the spill-over effects of higher education R&D on productivity are extremely high.

Higher Education

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will calculate the (a) amount spent per pupil on primary and secondary education by Cheshire County Council and (b) average amount spent per pupil on primary and secondary education by local authorities in England in the last financial year for which figures are available; what assessment he has made of the effect on educational provision in Cheshire if the average sum were to be spent; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The requested information is as follows:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 (a) Net Current Expenditure per pupil in Cheshire 
			  
			 Primary #2310 
			 Secondary #2920 
			 Both #2580 (b) Net Current Expenditure per pupil in England 
			  
			 Primary #2440 
			 Secondary #3060 
			 Both #2710 
		
	
	All figures in cash terms and rounded to the nearest #10.
	The data has been taken from Cheshire Education Authority's section 52 Outturn statement for the 2000–01 financial year. Variations in spending per pupil between authorities reflect higher area costs and greater incidence of deprivation in some areas. The Government will be announcing later this year the outcome of its review of formula funding for local authorities.

Higher Education

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many representations he has received from residents of (a) Cheshire and (b) Congleton constituency registering their response to his Department's review of revenue grant distribution; when he expects to announce his decision following his Department's consultation; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government on 6 November.

Higher Education

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many students were attending a full-time degree level course or its equivalent in each year since 1990, broken down by local education authority.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 4 November 2002
	I will write to my right hon. friend when the information is available and will place a copy of my reply in the Library.

Higher Education

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will consult (a) students and (b) parents of students living in Cambridgeshire on the findings of the review of higher education.

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans the Government has to consult student organizations on the outcome of the review of higher education.

Margaret Hodge: We have announced our intention to publish in January a strategy document setting out our vision for the development and reform of higher education, including the outcome of the review of student support. Once the document is published there will be opportunity for interested parties to respond.

Schools (Cambridgeshire)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will ensure that no schools in Cambridgeshire have a cash budget cut in the next financial year.

David Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) on 6 November 2002.

Schools (Cambridgeshire)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many representations his Department has received in connection with the funding of (a) schools and (b) school pupils in Cambridgeshire over the last year.

David Miliband: My right hon. Friend has received 25 letters in connection with the funding of schools in Cambridgeshire over the last year. In addition a number of Cambridgeshire residents responded to the consultation on Local Government Funding reform which closed on 30th September: to identify precisely these letters from amongst the very large numbers of responses to the consultation would incur disproportionate cost.

Schools (Cambridgeshire)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools in Cambridgeshire had a cash budget cut in this financial year.

David Miliband: In Cambridgeshire Local Education Authority 46 schools had a fall in their cash budget share in 2002–03, but of these only 7 also had a fall in their cash budget share per pupil. Changes in pupil numbers are the principal reason for changes in budget share from year to year. 199 schools had a rise in their cash budget share, but of these 12 had a fall in their cash budget share per pupil: this was largely in cases where small primary schools had rising rolls and therefore received less of the extra funding that goes to the smallest schools under the authority's formula.
	The information is taken from data published in the LEA's section 52 budget statements for 2001–02 and 2002–03.

Student Finance

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when the Government will publish its review of student funding;
	(2)  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if the Government will reintroduce targeted maintenance support for students from poorer backgrounds.

Margaret Hodge: The outcome of the student finance review will form part of the strategy document setting out our 10-year vision for the development and reform of higher education. The document will be published in the next few months; it would not be right to pre-empt it here by saying what is or is not planned.

School Funding

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average funding per pupil is in (a) Swindon and (b) England in 2002–03

David Miliband: In 2002–03 Swindon's average funding per pupil is #3,170 compared with the average in England of #3,610.
	Note:
	Figures in cash terms for pupils aged 4–19—rounded to the nearest #10. The figures include the Education SSA plus grants.

School Funding

Patrick Cormack: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much his Department spent in 2001 on each (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupil in (i) Staffordshire and (ii) Hertfordshire.

David Miliband: The requested information for 2000–01 is as follows:
	(a) Net current expenditure per pupil in maintained pre-primary and primary schools:
	(i) Staffordshire #2,240
	(ii) Hertfordshire #2,310.
	(b) Net current expenditure per pupil in secondary schools:
	(i) Staffordshire #2,780
	(ii) Hertfordshire #2,950.
	Source:
	The LEA Section 52 Outturn statements relating to the 2000–01 financial year.
	All figures in cash terms and rounded to the nearest #10.

School Funding

Patrick Cormack: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much additional funding has been provided to secondary schools in (i) Staffordshire and (ii) Hertfordshire in the current financial year.

David Miliband: Most additional funding for schools is allocated to local education authorities and cannot be disaggregated between different types of schools. The following table shows the additional funding that is specifically allocated for secondary education in Staffordshire and Hertfordshire in 2002–2003. Secondary schools will receive more than this from grants that cover all types of school, but the exact amount will depend on local decisions.
	
		
			  Staffordshire Hertfordshire 
			 Grant # # 
		
		
			 School Standards Grant 4,929,600 5,975,100 
			 Specialist Schools 1,624,659 2,023,168 
			 Training Schools – 155,000 
			 Beacon Schools 92,000 190,500 
			 Key Stage 3 Strategy 1,637,400 1,897,685 
			 School Achievement Awards 317,560 578,020 
			 Vocational GSCEs 58,732 73,203 
			 Electronic Registration Systems 17,200 113,810 
			  
			 Total 8,677,151 11,006,486

School Funding

Patrick Cormack: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many representations on the funding of education in Staffordshire his Department has received since June 2001.

David Miliband: The Department has answered 87 letters on the funding of education in Staffordshire since June 2001, and has received 5 petitions from schools. In addition a number of Staffordshire residents responded to the consultation on Local Government Funding reform which closed on 30 September: to identify precisely these letters from amongst the very large numbers of responses to the consultation would incur disproportionate cost.

School Funding

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much was spent on each (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupil in (i) 2001–2 and (ii) 2002–3 in (A) Cambridgeshire, (B) Bedfordshire, (C) Hertfordshire, (D) Northamptonshire, (E) Norfolk, (F) Essex, (G) London, (H) Liverpool and (I) Birmingham.

David Miliband: The following table contains information from 2000–01, the latest year for which data is available:
	
		
			  LEA Net Current expenditure per pupil (primary) Net Current expenditure per pupil (secondary) 
		
		
			 A Cambridgeshire 2,290 2,930 
			 B Bedfordshire 2,320 2,730 
			 C Hertfordshire 2,240 2,950 
			 D Northamptonshire 2,330 2,940 
			 E Norfolk 2,360 3,150 
			 F Essex 2,390 3,090 
			 G Inner London 3,230 4,220 
			 G Outer London 2,590 3,230 
			 G Inner and Outer London 2,820 3,540 
			 H Liverpool 2,670 3,570 
			 I Birmingham 2,610 3,360 
			  England 2,440 3,060 
		
	
	Source:
	Section 52 outturn statements relating to the 2000–01 financial year
	All figures are in cash terms and rounded to the nearest 10.

Tuition Fees

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of students from families resident in each government office region were (a) exempt from tuition fees, (b) paying less than full tuition fees and (c) paying no fees at all in the academic year 2002–03

Margaret Hodge: Data on contributions towards the cost of tuition by government office region for academic year 2002–03 are not available.

Tuition Fees

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will place in the Library the research analysis that led to his conclusion that a graduate had lifetime earnings #400,000 greater than non-graduates; from which period these data were gathered; whether the sum stated is gross or net of tax; and if he will estimate the sum (a) gross and (b) net of tax.

Margaret Hodge: The relevant data come from the four quarters Autumn 2000 to Summer 2001 in the Labour Force Survey. The #400,000 figure is gross, and is consistent with conventional practice used by ONS when quoting earnings figures. The equivalent figure, net of income tax, national insurance and other contributions, is around #250,000. For the avoidance of doubt, #400,000 is the earnings premium of a graduate over that of the national average rather than for a non-graduate. The premium over a non-graduate would be significantly higher.

Student Loans

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the (a) stock and (b) net annual investment is of student loans; and what the additional cost would be at full market rate of interest.

Margaret Hodge: At the end of the 2000–01 financial year there were some 2,253,000 borrowers with student loans, either mortgage style or income contingent. This includes 705,000 borrowers with loans which have been sold to the private sector. The total amount outstanding on student outlay was #7,833.2m of which #1,789.9m was in respect of loans sold to the private sector.
	The resource cost for student loans issued in the 2000–01 financial year was estimated to be #794m.
	Student loans are charged interest at the rate of inflation. A full market rate of interest would be higher and would not increase the costs to public funds. It would, however, increase the total amount repaid by HE leavers and graduates. It would also increase the time taken to repay their loans and the likelihood of loans being written off.

Student Loans

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive regarding his Department's review of post-16 student support;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive regarding the interest rate on student loans.

Margaret Hodge: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has had no such discussions so far.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Paul Burrell

Ian Lucas: To ask the Solicitor-General what discussions her Department had in the case of Regina v. Paul Burrell with the Crown Prosecution Service concerning the making of an application for a public interest immunity certificate.

Harriet Harman: No such discussions took place. There was never any question of continuing with the prosecution while withholding disclosure of the information and no attempt was made to do so. No Minister was asked to give a PII certificate or signed one, nor was a draft certificate ever prepared, nor was any consideration given by anyone to preparing such a certificate to place before the judge. The judge agreed to postpone the disclosure of the information in the public interest until further enquiries had been carried out and a fuller picture obtained so as to enable properly informed decisions to be made, in particular as to the future conduct of the trial.

Paul Burrell

Louise Ellman: To ask the Solicitor-General, if she will investigate the circumstances surrounding the decision of the CPS to prosecute Paul Burrell; and what the cost of the action was to public funds.

Harriet Harman: On the information known to the Crown Prosecution Service at the time of the decision last year to bring a prosecution, I have no reason to doubt the assessment made that there was a realistic prospect of securing a conviction and that the public interest was in favour of a prosecution. The cost of the prosecution to public funds has not yet been ascertained.

Paul Burrell

Louise Ellman: To ask the Solicitor-General, if she will undertake an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the court case Regina v. Paul Burrell.

Harriet Harman: A full statement was made by the prosecution and the facts of the case are already known. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The Crown Prosecution Service will be considering carefully the lessons of what happened but, as the Prime Minister has stated, there is no need for an inquiry. This was a unique set of circumstances.

Paul Burrell

Llew Smith: To ask the Solicitor General, what plans she has to review the procedure for issuing public interest immunity certificates.

Harriet Harman: None.

Paul Burrell

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Solicitor-General, which Ministers signed PII certificates in the case of Regina v. Burrell; and which categories of information these certificates covered.

Harriet Harman: No Minister was asked to give a PII certificate or signed one, nor was a draft certificate ever prepared, nor was any consideration given by anyone to preparing such a certificate to place before the judge.

Paul Burrell

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Solicitor-General, if she will make a statement on the discussions between the Attorney-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions about the prosecution of Paul Burrell prior to the decision to end the case; and when he first discussed the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions to end the case against Paul Burrell.

Harriet Harman: The Attorney-General first learnt about the case shortly after his appointment. The Director of Public Prosecutions had drawn the case to the attention of his predecessor in May last year. Thereafter, the case was included in a list of high profile cases in respect of which brief reports are provided to Law Officers on a monthly basis. The Law Officers were not asked for and did not give their views about whether the case should proceed. On Tuesday last week, the Crown Prosecution Service and prosecution counsel drew the attention of the Attorney-General to the new information that had been disclosed by the Palace to the police. Naturally, the Attorney-General's views were sought on how to proceed in the light of that development and he gave them. But in the end, as he made plain should be the case, the decision was made by the CPS following further consideration and having taken leading counsel's advice. At the time that decisions were made, the Director of Public Prosecutions was abroad. He kept in close touch with his office and approved the decision, but there were no direct discussions between the Attorney-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions. They first spoke directly of the matter on 3 November.

Robert Hamill

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Solicitor General, when the Department of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland received papers on the investigation into the death of Robert Hamill and when he expects a decision on prosecution to be made.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 30 October 2002
	A police investigation file relating to the death of Robert Hamill was received in the Director's Office on 7 August 1997. Following consideration of that file a direction was issued on 27 January 1998 to prosecute one person, Paul Hobson, for the scheduled offence of murder and affray. On 25 February 1999 at Belfast Crown Court Hobson was found not guilty of murder but guilty of affray and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment.
	On 12 June 2001 a second police investigation file dealing with matters arising out of the investigation into the death of Robert Hamill was received in the Director's Office. Following consideration of the second file, on 20 August 2001 a direction was issued to prosecute two persons, Michael McKee and Andrea McKee, for the offence of doing an act with intent to pervert the course of justice. On 7 May 2002 at Craigavon Crown Court the two persons pleaded guilty to the offence. Michael McKee was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and Andrea McKee was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years.
	On 19 December 2001 a third police investigation file dealing further with matters arising from the investigation into the death of Robert Hamill was received in the Director's Office. Following consideration of the third file together with further material which became available in May 2002, a decision as to prosecution of persons reported in that file will issue shortly.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Pesticides

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the pesticides and pest repellent chemicals that have been withdrawn from use in commercial products following EU directives in the last five years; and what the reason was for their withdrawal in each case.

Elliot Morley: Directive 91/414/EEC concerns the marketing of plant protection products (these are basically pesticides and pest repellent chemicals used in agriculture). From 1998 to 2002 the following chemicals were withdrawn from the market under the first stage of the 91/414/EEC review programme: chlozolinate; dinoterb; DNOC, fentin acetate; fentin hydroxide; fenvalerate; lindane; monolinuron; pyrazophos and quintozene. Decisions to withdraw a further 8 chemicals have been taken but in all these cases the marketing can continue into 2003–2004.
	Chlozolinate, fenvalerate, monolinuron and pyrazophos were withdrawn because the companies concerned did not provide, sufficient information to support their review. The other chemicals were withdrawn because they did not meet the requirements laid down in Directive 91/414/EEC. In all these cases concerns were expressed regarding the safety of operators potentially exposed to the chemicals and for some there were also concerns regarding the behaviour of the chemicals in the environment and their possible impact on non-target organisms.
	Finally, marketing authorisations for 320 chemicals throughout the EU (of which 45 had UK approvals) will be withdrawn in July 2003 (although a few ''essential uses'' of some of these chemicals can continue to 2007). In all these cases withdrawal arises because the companies concerned have not supported the chemicals in the second and third stages of the review programme.

Aggregate Imports

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much aggregate has been imported in each of the last five years.

Brian Wilson: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Offshore Transmission Grid

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she plans to publish her response to the PB Power Report Concept Study-Western Offshore Transmission Grid published in February.

Brian Wilson: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Solar Power

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated cost is of delivering a 100,000 solar PV roof programme funded by 50 per cent. capital grants by 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: The Government Industry Photovoltaic Group Report of March 2001 recommended ''The most effective means of encouraging the deployment of PV in the UK would be a major Market Stimulation Programme featuring a 50 per cent. capital grant for 70,000 domestic roofs and a similar grant scheme for larger non—domestic buildings costing around #150 million over 10 years.'' Taken together this is equivalent to a 100,000 PV roofs programme.

Nuclear Liabilities

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the public consultation held on the proposals for a nuclear liabilities management authority; how many responses were made to the consultation; and if she will place copies of consultation submissions in the Library.

Brian Wilson: I will write to my hon. friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Energy White Paper

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the purpose, agenda and attendance of each workshop held with stakeholders on the energy White Paper; and if she will make a statement on the outcomes of each.

Brian Wilson: We organised expert workshops with stakeholders to stimulate debate on energy issues with a view to informing the preparation of the Energy White Paper. The workshops covered a wide range of issues and included three opening workshops in London, Glasgow and Newport, a final integrative conference in London and workshops on regional issues, energy policy and long term carbon reductions, energy efficiency renewables and the energy implications of PIU energy review. Workshops and focus groups were also held with the general public. These workshops contributed to the 6,500 contributions received to the consultation. Details are being posted on the DTI's web site at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/developep/reports.shtml.

Magnox Fuel

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the (a) technical feasibility and (b) cost of converting the dry store for spent magnox fuel at Wylfa into a hardened sub-surface storage vault.

Brian Wilson: None. Any such assessment would be a mater for BNFL Magnox Generation and would be subject to regulatory scrutiny.

Renewable Energy

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much capital grant funding is available from 2002 to 2006 for the (a) offshore wind, (b) biomass and (c) solar PV industries as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Renewable Energy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress made in implementing regional assessments and targets for renewable energy provisions; and what effect they have on the planning and promotion at regional and local level of on-shore wind farms.

Brian Wilson: The Government initiated regional assessments throughout all regions in the UK. These studies identified each region's renewable energy resource. This information is now available on the DTI Website at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/renewable/oxera report.pdf.
	This report also sets out each region's possible contribution to our national 10 per cent. target.
	We would encourage Local Planning Authorities to earmark sites in their local development plans for renewable energy developments.
	Development plans provide the basis for decisions on specific development proposals. These ensure that planning decisions are not arbitrary and that developers have a measure of certainty about what development is allowed.

Renewable Energy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many applications to develop (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind farms her Department has received in each year since 1997; and how many of these have been approved.

Brian Wilson: The following is the information requested:
	
		Onshore Windfarms
		
			  Applications Approvals 
		
		
			 1997–99 0 0 
			 2000 1 0 
			 2001 0 0 
			 2002 (to date) 0 1 
		
	
	
		Offshore Windfarms
		
			  Applications Approvals 
		
		
			 1997–2000 0 0 
			 2000 1 0 
			 2001 0 0 
			 2002 (to date) 7 2

Renewable Energy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) of 17 October 2002, Official Report, c. 891W, what criteria are being used in the development of the United Kingdom wind speed database.

Brian Wilson: The UK windspeed database has now been made available on the DTI website at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/renewable/windspeed/online.html.
	The data is the result of an air flow model that estimates the effect of topography on wind speed. Each value stored in the database is the estimated average windspeed for a 1 km square at 10m, 25m and 45m above ground level. The database does not take account of local thermally driven winds, topography on a small scale or local surface roughness. The data is intended as a guide to be followed by on-site measurements.
	The database uses the Ordnance Survey grid system for Great Britain and the grid system of the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

Renewable Energy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what percentage of the United Kingdom's energy is generated from wind energy; and what percentage it will have to be if the Renewables Obligation is to be met in 2010.

Brian Wilson: In 2001 0.03 per cent. of the total primary inland consumption of energy in the United Kingdom was accounted for by onshore and offshore wind, with all renewable sources together accounting for 1.3 per cent. Electricity generated from wind accounted for 0.3 per cent. of electricity sold in the UK in 2001 with all renewable sources eligible for the renewables obligation together accounting for 1.5 per cent.
	The Government have a target for 10 per cent. of licensed electricity supplies in the UK to be generated from sources eligible for the Renewables Obligation by 2010, but this Obligation is a market based approach and the deployment levels for individual renewables technologies are for the industry rather than the Government. We would, however, expect a significant contribution to the 10 per cent. target to be from onshore and offshore wind energy.

Mobile Phone Masts

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research is under-way into the health and safety issues surrounding the siting of mobile telecommunications masts.

Stephen Timms: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Regulatory Costs

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the cost to business of the draft regulations to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of (a) sexual orientation and (b) religion.

Alan Johnson: Unfortunately I have not been able to glean the information necessary to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Trade Liberalisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role her Department played in the development on the non-paper on trade liberalisation at the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg; and what outcomes emerged from discussions relating to this paper involving her Department.

Patricia Hewitt: At the end of the World Summit on sustainable Development (WSSD) Bali Prepcom in June, the Chair asked Member States for ideas on how to resolve those areas (which included parts other trade text amongst others) of the Plan of Implementation which had yet to be agreed. The European Commission (acting in accordance with its general mandate from EU member states to negotiate trade issues) and the US agreed a non-paper on the trade, finance and globalisation texts which was submitted to the South Africans as an informal contribution in advance of WSSD in Johannesburg. This was not a formal EU position agreed by member states. The formal EU position was adopted in the Development Council conclusions on WSSD agreed in May prior to the WSSD Bali Prepcom.
	All discussions on trade liberalisation issues at Johannesburg itself were based on text negotiated at the Bali Prepcom and developed through subsequent drafts produced by the Chair of the Trade Group (the Antiguan Ambassador to the UN) during WSSD itself. I welcome the fact that the final trade sections of the WSSD text strongly reinforce the commitments made at the WTO Ministerial in Doha in November 2001. The text as agreed by consensus is publicly available on the WSSD website (www.johannesburgsummit.org/).

Shipbuilding

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance was provided by the Government to the (a) Shipbuilding Intervention Fund and (b) Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–00, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001–02; what amounts are outstanding under the HSCGS; what amounts have been written off under the HSCGS; what assessment has taken place of (A) the SIF and (B) the HSCGS; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: Unfortunately I have not been able to glean the information necessary to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Broadband

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) of 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 250W, how the #30 million Broadband Fund is being divided amongst the regions and devolved administrations.

Stephen Timms: The #30 million UK Broadband Fund has been divided amongst the regions and devolved administrations as follows:
	
		
			 Region/Nation Total Amount Awarded From Broadband Fund (#million) 
		
		
			 Scotland 4.39 
			 Wales 2.67 
			 Northern Ireland 1.46 
			 North East 1.46 
			 North West 2.68 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 3.10 
			 West Midlands 2.08 
			 East Midlands 2.09 
			 East of England 3.22 
			 South West 3.78 
			 South East 2.90 
			 London 0.11

Broadband

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of the cost arising from broadband interference caused by powerline telecommunications to high frequency radio transmissions by broadcasters and short range devices used by the police and Government agencies.

Stephen Timms: The Radiocommunications Agency intends to publish a national consultation later this month to determine the implications, including costs, associated with a number of possible options for limiting emissions from powerline and other wired telecommunication systems that have potential to cause interference to high frequency radio services.

Broadband

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to minimise broadband interference caused by powerline telecommunications to high frequency radio transmissions by broadcasters and short range devices used by the police and Government agencies.

Stephen Timms: The Radiocommunications Agency established a Technical Working Group in March 2001 to determine the compatibility of powerline telecommunication and other broadband wireline systems with radio services operating between 1.6 MHz and 30 MHz. Membership of the group was open to all interested parties and its final report will be published later this month as part of a national consultation. The outcome of the consultation is expected in early 2003. It will be used to inform the Government's contribution to work that is underway in the relevant international standards bodies concerned with limiting broadband telecommunication interference.

Broadband

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the Government's policy toward internet access via powerline telecommunications.

Stephen Timms: The Government has set a target of making the UK the most competitive and extensive broadband market of all the G7 countries. We believe this can best be achieved through deployment of a wide range of competing delivery technologies and this includes powerline telecommunications. This technology has the potential to provide broadband connectivity to isolated communities and is currently undergoing some small project trails in Scotland that are part funded by government.

Broadband

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many applications were considered and by whom for the position of DTI South West Regional Broadband Advisor; and if she will make a statement on the training and experience held by the incumbent;
	(2)  what the nature is of the relationship between Smart South West and the UK Online for Business Regional Broadband Champion;
	(3)  when, by whom and at what cost the appointment of the UK Online for Business Regional Broadband Champion was advertised;
	(4)  if she will make a statement on the experience and technical training of the successful candidate selected to be the South West Regional Broadband Unit Broadband Expert;
	(5)  if she will make a statement on the competition for the appointment by Smart South West of a UK Online for Business Regional Broadband Champion; and what the remuneration offered was.

Stephen Timms: holding answers 5 November 2002
	The Department of Trade and Industry is currently setting up a UK Broadband Taskforce, with the aim of extending the availability and take-up of broadband throughout the United Kingdom.
	A regional broadband co-ordinator is being appointed in each English region and Devolved Administration. This person will work alongside Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Devolved Administrations in order to achieve the unit's overarching aim.
	Competition for each of the contracts has been undertaken on an open and transparent basis. Contracts were advertised through the Broadband Stakeholder Group, the Communication Managers' Association and a recruitment agency. In a number of cases RDAs also put forward candidates. The advertising process was run at no cost; the recruitment agency charges a fee if one of their candidates is placed—in line with industry standards. From the candidates put forward a shortlist was compiled in discussion between DTI and the relevant RDA, based on the match between the candidate's CV and the job description. The shortlisted candidates were generally interviewed by a representative of the DTI, the new Head of the UK Broadband Taskforce and a representative of the Regional Development Agency.
	In the case of the South West Regional Development Agency, the long-list consisted of seven candidates of which three were interviewed. The successful candidate was considered by each interviewer, independently, to have the required combination of communication skills, knowledge of broadband and regional understanding to perform the role of regional broadband co-ordinator. The remuneration package for the successful candidate is approximately in line with the total remuneration package offered to a Range 10 Civil Servant in the DTI (up to #46,502 plus superannuation, outside London).
	Smart South West is a Public Private Partnership whose purpose is to map IT-related projects in the South West Region. The new regional broadband co-ordinator in the South West Region is a former part-time employee of Smart South West. The broadband co-ordinator will work across the region, including with bodies such as Smart South West in order to extend the availability and take-up of broadband.
	As part of the appointment and contract management process, we are putting appropriate measures in place in order to ensure that we avoid or minimise potential conflicts of interest.

Nuclear Power Stations

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps will be taken in respect of the decommissioning dismantling and clearance of Nuclear Magnox Reactors in Great Britain.

Brian Wilson: BNFL has announced its strategy for the Magnox stations including projected latest dates for their generating lifetimes. As is stated in CM2919 XReview of Radioactive Waste Management Policy—Final Conclusions" published in 1995, the decommissioning strategies of nuclear operators are subject to quinquennial review by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Such a review of the decommissioning strategy for the reactors operated by Magnox Electric plc was completed by HSE in February 2002. Details of the strategy, and the outcome of the review, can be found in HSE's report which is available on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/nsd/magdecom.pdf.
	As indicated in the recent white paper ''Managing the Nuclear Legacy—A Strategy for Action'', the detailed timing and operational plans for decommissioning the Magnox stations is one of the matters to be considered by the Liabilities Management Authority (LMA) once established. The LMA will operate openly and transparently and its plans will be published.

Parliamentary Questions/Correspondence

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to her from hon. Members in this Session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

Patricia Hewitt: The Cabinet Office publishes a report to Parliament on an annual basis setting out the volume of Members' correspondence received by Departments. The Report for 2001 was published on Friday 24 May, Official Report column 677W. Copies of previous reports are available in the Library of the House.
	The following table shows the number of letters to hon. Members which remain outstanding.
	
		
			 1 Month Old 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months Over 6 Months 
		
		
			 71 47 22 8 —

Parliamentary Questions/Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer from the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, of 19 September 2002, Official Report, c.238W, when she will reply to the letter dated 31 January from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding the Johannesburg Earth Summit.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 5 November 2002
	I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member's letter. A reply has been sent out today.

Consumer Sector

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what percentage of (a) United Kingdom GDP and (b) the United Kingdom work force the consumer goods and business and consumer services sector accounts for; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: Industries covered by the DTI consumer goods and services unit represented about 14 per cent. of UK total Gross Value Added at basic prices in 2000. The estimate has been derived from the ONS Input-Output Analyses and the ONS Annual Business Inquiry.
	Estimate of the UK work force involved in the sector are not available in sufficient detail to provide an estimate, but the ONS Annual Business Inquiry shows it provides 18 per cent. of GB employee jobs.

Subscriptions

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much was spent on the UK's subscription to the (a) WTO, (b) Energy Charter Treaty Secretariat, (c) International Energy Agency, (d) International Atomic Energy Agency, (e) Safeguards Support Programmes and (f) Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–00 and (iv) 2000–01; what the budget is for 2001–02; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: Please see table below.
	
		[all figures in #000s]
		
			 Organisation Actual 97–98 Actual 98–99 Actual 99–00 Actual 00–01 Budget 01–02 
		
		
			 WTO 2,794 3,075 3,016 3,348 3,288 
			 Energy Charter Treaty Secretariat (European Energy Charter) 318 217 238 253 260 
			 International Energy Agency 859 494 783 739 861 
			 International Atomic Energy Agency 9,346 3,046 5,999 12,539 10,165 
			 Safeguards Support Programmes(31) 1,391 1,369 1,548 1,208 1,450 
			 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons 5,091 1,547 906 1,539 3,561 
		
	
	Note:
	(31) These are voluntary contributions, not subscriptions.

BAE Systems

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2002 Official Report, column 28W, on BAE Systems, if she will list the meetings she and her ministers have had with BAE Systems since June 2001, stating in each case the date and subject of the meeting.

Alan Johnson: Since June 2001, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and her Ministers have had meetings with BAE Systems on the following dates:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 3 July 2001 16 July 2002 
			 13 September 2001 25 July 2002 
			 20 November 2001 5 September 2002 
			 23 May 2002 24 September 2002 
			 12 June 2002 23 October 2002 
			 1 July 2002 31 October 2002 
		
	
	A range of subjects was discussed at these meetings.

Fireworks

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate the number of domestic animals which received veterinary treatment as a result of an accident involving a firework during October, November and December 2001; and what plans she has to launch an investigation into how the health of domestic animals is affected by fireworks.

Melanie Johnson: I have no records of accidents to domestic animals involving fireworks. My colleagues at DEFRA are considering amendments to the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and they will look into whether there is scope to take more effective action where the welfare of captive or domestic animals is being endangered through the reckless discharge of fireworks.

Miners Compensation

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many mining compensation claims resolutions she estimates are being held up by delays in releasing to solicitors the chronic bronchitis and emphysema pensions model on computer disk;
	(2)  what proportion of relevant outstanding mining compensation claims she expects to be speeded by release of the first phase of the chronic bronchitis and emphysema pensions model on computer disk; and what proportion will have to await subsequent phases of the model for speedy resolution.

Brian Wilson: I will write to my hon. Friend.

British Energy

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria British Energy will have to meet in order for them to gain an extension to their loan agreement with the Government.

Brian Wilson: No decisions have been taken and no commitments given on British Energy's long term future at this time.

British Energy

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under what terms the Government loan was agreed with British Energy; and whether these terms are under review.

Brian Wilson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 October 2002, Official Report, c.665W, to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) about the credit facility agreement provided to British Energy.

British Energy

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what interest rate was attached to the recent loan made to British Energy; and what contingencies have been put in place in the event that British Energy is unable to repay the loans.

Brian Wilson: Full details of the credit facility agreement are commercially confidential unless and until it is made public by British Energy. The Government has taken security over British Energy's assets for the facility provided to the company.

British Energy

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what communications she has had with the European Commissioner Monti in respect of the loan provided to British Energy.

Brian Wilson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry met Commissioner Monti on 10 October to discuss various matters including rescue aid to British Energy.

Women in Science

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to publish the Greenfield Report.

Patricia Hewitt: I am looking forward to receiving the final version of Baroness Greenfield's report on a stronger strategic approach to promoting women in science, engineering and technology by the end of this month and will publish it as soon as possible thereafter. We will also publish the Government's response once we have had a chance to consider the report's recommendations properly.

Women in Science

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  when she will publish the Greenfield Report on women in science;
	(2)  when she will publish her responses to the recommendations in the Greenfield Report.

Patricia Hewitt: I am looking forward to receiving the final version of Baroness Greenfield's report on a stronger strategic approach to promoting women in science, engineering and technology by the end of this month and will publish it as soon as possible thereafter. We will also publish the Government's response once we have had a chance to consider the report's recommendations properly.

Women's Enterprise

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what she is doing to increase the number of women setting up their own business; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: DTI is addressing the issue of women's enterprise principally through the Small Business Service and its network of Business Link Operators.
	SBS has been leading on cross-government work on developing Women in Business policy. It has built up good relations with a number of organisations looking into this area—including the recently formed Prowess which brings together representatives of business support organisations targeting help at female entrepreneurs. Prowess has been supported by my Department's Phoenix fund. The Phoenix Development Fund is funding 96 projects to support innovative approaches to promoting enterprise in disadvantaged areas and under-represented groups, including women. All of the projects are open to women, but 20 focus specifically on their needs.
	I attended the formal launch of Prowess on 30 October which highlighted their role in raising awareness of the needs of women entrepreneurs and the need to work towards equal numbers of women and men starting in business.

Post Office

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who holds the contracts to provide the IT system to run the post office card system for ACT.

Stephen Timms: These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Limited and I have therefore asked the Chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Office

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the (a) start date, (b) planned completion date, (c) current expected completion date, (d) planned cost and (e) current estimated cost are of the IT system to support the Post Office Card Account.

Stephen Timms: These are matters that fall within the day to day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Office

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Horizon swipecard software will be used to support the Post Office Card account.

Stephen Timms: These are matters that fall within the day to day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Engineering Industry

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what measures she is taking to promote British engineering;
	(2)  what measures she is taking with the Department of Education and Skills to increase the number of graduates in the engineering sector.

Brian Wilson: I am taking a number of measures to promote British engineering. British engineering is able to benefit from the services of British Trade International in competing in overseas markets. And there is a range of specialist activity such as the ''Capability Statement'' documents on education and training in the oil and gas industry which describe the roles UK trained and educated engineers play in all the major centres of oil and gas production world-wide.
	The Department promotes engineering in key overseas markets through the deployment of International Technology Promoters who promote collaboration between UK firms and overseas counterparts. Smaller engineering firms have access to additional support through a secondments programme, which enables SMEs to improve their competitive position by spending up to a year in a foreign company.
	I am taking a range of measures: to encourage young people to consider engineering as a rewarding career choice; to increase the attractiveness of degree courses in engineering; and to provide a clear progression path though school, FE and HE. I am particularly keen to ensure individual learners and employers are offered flexible training opportunities for people in the workforce.
	The Government accept that without an adequate supply of young people studying the sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics, the UK's long-term prospects are bleak. The Government aims to increase young people's engagement in science and technology through increased activity in schools that will inspire young people and improve perceptions of the relevance of the curriculum to the world of work. For its part the DTI is working closely with our colleagues in the DfES to ensure that in response to Sir Gareth Roberts' Report ''SET for Success'' a number of measures are taken to improve the supply of people with science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills. For example: an additional investment of #100 million a year by 2005–06 (in addition to extra resources for the Department for Education and Skills) to implement the recommendations of the Review
	Government will also be funding the Research Councils to increase the minimum PhD stipend to #12,000 by 2005–06, which should also enable the average PhD stipend to rise to over #13,000 by 2005–06 and investing in research careers by increasing funds for PhD training.
	Sir Gareth's Report recommends that the Government increase its support for SETNET, (the Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths Network) and the UK-wide network of 53 SETPoints that it administers which channel Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities supported by industry into schools. This network also administers the Science and Engineering Ambassadors programme. The Government is still considering how best to respond to these specific recommendations.
	The Government are also committed to supporting the new Engineering and Technology Board, which has replaced the former Engineering Council and has the more effective promotion of science, technology, engineering and maths as one of its key objectives.

Engineering Industry

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of engineers educated in the UK who were working abroad in each of the last five years.

Brian Wilson: This information is not available.

Recruitment (Over-50s)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of new recruits to her Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

Patricia Hewitt: 7.8 per cent. of new recruits to my Department in the past two years were 50 and over.

Lighter Refills

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action she will take in accordance with European legislation to allow cigarette lighter refills to be limited to a 25ml can size.

Melanie Johnson: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Environmental and Social Responsibility

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many of the FTSE 350 companies have reported on the environmental and social implications of their activities since January; and what assessment she has made of the quality of these reports;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the merits of companies' reportings of environmental and social impacts of their activities.

Melanie Johnson: In July 2002, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contacted all companies in the FTSE 350 to assess the number companies reporting on their environmental performance.
	99 companies currently report on their environmental performance, including data on their key impacts. Of those 99 companies, 20 have produced their first report since December 2001. 140 companies make information on their environmental performance publicly available, but fall short of full reporting.
	The General Guidelines on Environmental Reporting published in November 2001, suggests contents and key indicators for the quality of individual company environmental reports.

Environmental and Social Responsibility

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how the Government will ensure that its corporate policies on social and environmental responsibility of companies help meet its sustainable development targets.

Stephen Timms: The Government's approach on both Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development is subject to extensive inter-departmental co-ordination and co-operation. The teams in DTI supporting these processes are both located in the Department's Sustainable Development Unit with a unified management structure, ensuring a closely integrated approach on the Government's sustainable development and CSR objectives.

Environmental and Social Responsibility

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of the Prime Minister on 16 October 2002, Official Report, c. 310, what discussions her Department has held regarding social responsibility with (a) business and (b) groups representing civil society, the environment, labour standards and human rights and (c) other organisations.

Melanie Johnson: The Department has consulted widely on Corporate Social Responsibility with a range of different stakeholders. A series of Ministerial Round Tables were held last year, and two further Round Tables took place in September with, respectively, business and groups representing civil society. In addition, Ministers and officials regularly meet representatives of the different interest groups bilaterally, as well as participating in meetings and events organised by them.

Miners Pensions

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average pension paid to members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme is in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) England; and what the average pension paid to widows and widowers is in the same scheme.

Brian Wilson: These are matters for the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme. I am informed, however, that the average pensions paid for the year to 30 September 2002 were:
	
		Average pension paid
		
			  # 
		
		
			 Wales 8,948.60 
			 Scotland 8,598.53 
			 England 10,331.54 
		
	
	
		Average pension paid to widows or widowers
		
			  # 
		
		
			 Wales 5,198.71 
			 Scotland 5,237.99 
			 England 5,586.34

Miners Pensions

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average pension paid to members of the miners pension fund is in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) England; and what the average pension paid to widows or widowers is in the same scheme.

Brian Wilson: These are matters for the Mineworkers Pension Scheme. I am informed, however, that the average pensions paid in the year to 30 September 2002 were:
	
		Average pension paid
		
			  # 
		
		
			 Wales 2,010.50 
			 Scotland 1,997.56 
			 England 2,564.19 
		
	
	
		Average pension paid to widows or widowers
		
			  # 
		
		
			 Wales 1,456.67 
			 Scotland 1,508.07 
			 England 1,629.51

Insolvency Service

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress she has made on introducing new pay scales for the Insolvency Service; and what recent discussions she has had with the Treasury about their introduction.

Melanie Johnson: The outline of the new Pay and Grading system for The Insolvency Service was contained in a pay remit which has been formally submitted to the Treasury and discussions are continuing.

World Trade Organisation

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the brief was of the British civil servant who accompanied the Ghanaian delegation to the Doha talks.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 5 November 2002
	No British civil servant accompanied the Ghanaian delegation to the Doha talks. At the specific request of the Government of Ghana, a consultant working in the Ghanaian Ministry of Trade and Industry on a two-year long DFID funded Trade Policy Project accompanied the Ghanaian delegation. The consultant's role, as set out in an official statement by the Ghana Ministry of Trade & Industry in December 2001, was to observe the WTO process and analyse the issues for the Ghanaian Government. The consultant did not participate in any of the negotiations.

World Trade Organisation

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the staff of the World Trade Organisation are selected; and what the process was by which the deputy director generals were recently appointed; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 6 November 2002
	WTO staff at all grades below Deputy Director General are selected on merit after open advertisement. Interviews are conducted by WTO management on the basis of staff rules agreed by WTO members.
	The appointment of the four Deputy Director Generals is a matter for the Director General who makes his decision in consultation with WTO members.
	The Director General is chosen by all WTO members, after a call for candidates, on the basis of consensus.

Renewables Obligation

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce banding of renewable obligation certificates under the Renewables Obligation; and if he will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: There are no plans to introduce banding of the Renewables Obligation. The Renewables Obligation is a market led measure and will remain so. The Obligation is helping the UK renewable industry to take forward those renewable technologies that are close to becoming commercially competitive. Government grants continue to support the development of technologies still some way from commercial viability.

Public Service Agreements

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which of her Department's Public Service Agreements relate to fuel poverty reduction; and what progress has been made to date in achieving them.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department has recently agreed a PSA target for 2003–2006 to ensure the UK ranks in the top 3 most competitive energy markets in the EU and G7 in each year, whilst on course to maintain energy security and to achieve fuel poverty objectives. We also have a joint target with DEFRA to improve the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources, including through the use of energy saving technologies, to help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. from 1990 levels and move towards a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.
	Fuel poverty objectives will be measured using the relevant fuel poverty targets for England, as defined and set out in ''The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy'',
	The number of households in fuel poverty has been reducing since 1996 as has the number of vulnerable fuel poor. In broad terms it is estimated that the number of fuel poor households in England has fallen from about 4.3 million in 1996 to about 2.8 million in 2000 (when housing costs and ISMI are included as income), with the number of vulnerable fuel poor estimated to have fallen from about 3.0 million to about 2.3 million in the same time.
	The 2001 English House Condition Survey will update the information on the extent of fuel poverty in England. Results from this will be published in the annual update of the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy which should be published early in 2003.

Nuclear Power

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the proposals put forward by the European Commissioner de Palacio to the Commission on 6 November concerning the harmonisation of nuclear reactor safety and radioactive waste management across the EU.

Brian Wilson: Officials in my Department and DEFRA are taking preliminary steps to assess the implications for the UK. It is important to remember that the proposals currently under discussion within the Commission could be changed significantly before any proposal is made to the Council.

Nuclear Power

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional resources have been made available to her Office of Civil Nuclear Security following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.

Brian Wilson: It has been agreed with the Treasury that the budget for the Office for Civil Nuclear Security will be increased by #200,000 for the financial year 2002–2003 and by #300,000 for the financial year 2003–2004

Nuclear Power

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the public consultation on the proposed revisions to civil nuclear security arrangements; how many responses were received; and if she will place copies of them in the Library.

Brian Wilson: The Department has drawn up proposals for the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations which will provide a clarified and updated legislative basis for security regulation in the UK's civil nuclear industry.
	The Department has carried out a public consultation exercise on the proposals and is considering the 27 responses it has received with a view to making the regulations as soon as possible.
	The Department will publish a document summarising the responses received, and its responses to the points raised. As explained in the consultation document for the regulations, this will not identify individual responses. This is for security reasons. Nor will the summary document refer to issues with potential implications for operational security.
	A copy of this document will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Liabilities Management Unit

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost of creating and operating the Liabilities Management Unit has been to date; and what the projected cost of the LMU until its dissolution is.

Patricia Hewitt: Between 1 April and 30 September 2002, my Department spent #4.26m on setting up and running the Liabilities Management Unit. I expect the full cost for the 02–03 financial year to be around #10.9m. Similar annual expenditure is expected in the run up to the establishment of the Liabilities Management Authority.

Women's Rights

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minister for Women what assessment her Department has made of the recent Economic and Social Research Council Report on disparities in salaries between men and women.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government welcome the ESRC's recent report, entitled ''Diversity in Britain's Labour Market'', as a contribution to the debate about women's earnings.
	The report confirms that the pay gap has many complex causes. The government is tackling these underlying problems by encouraging equal pay reviews; introducing the annual Castle Awards and Fair Pay Champions and providing additional funding of #151,867 (on top of the initial #145,000) to trade unions, for training representatives in equal pay issues in the workplace. Work-Life Balance initiatives, the right to request reduced hours, improved and extended maternity rights and the National Childcare Strategy will also help to tackle both the full-time and part-time pay gap.

Women's Rights

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on (a) the work of the UN Commission on the Status of Women and (b) her Department's financial support for the Commission.

Patricia Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.
	The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) plays an important role in promoting women's rights, developing follow up to the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women and has a catalytic role in mainstreaming a gender perspective into policies and programmes of the UN system. It was established by the Economic and Social Council, which elects CSW's 45 members for four-year terms.
	The UK is an active member of the Commission and takes a leading role in the development of its policy and work programme, reflecting the UK's commitment to promote gender equality. The UK sends a strong delegation to the annual session of the Commission in New York, including officials from the DTI, FCO and DfID, plus members of the Women's National Commission.
	The Commission's operating costs are funded through the UN Regular Budget to which the UK contributes 5.6 per cent. (the total Regular Budget is $2,625 million per year). Additional voluntary UK funding is provided to support the work of the UN Secretariat to prepare for CSW. In 2002, this included #10,000 from DfID for development-related expert group meetings held in advance of CSW to facilitate discussion and help the Secretariat produce reports on the Commission's priority themes. In preparation for CSW's 2003 session DfID will provide similar funding for expert group meetings.

Trade Partners UK

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library a copy of the standard contract letter which is drawn up between Trade Partners UK and secondees from private companies before they start their secondment.

Patricia Hewitt: Trade Partners UK is the Trade and Development arm of British Trade International—the joint DTI/FCO Trade Development and Inward Investments body. Depending on the nature of the secondment the contracts can be with either DTI or FCO. I have today arranged for the standard contract letter between the DTI and the secondee, and the standard contract between the Department and the company to be placed in the Library of the House. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has arranged for standard contract letters with the FCO also to be placed in the Library.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Morley and Rothwell (Mr. Challon) of 31 October 2002. Official Report, 989, if she will define what the (a) commercial and (b) competitive bases are for supplying public services under the GATS agreement.

Patricia Hewitt: The GATS agreement contains no definition of these terms. WTO Members retain the right to define their own public services.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions between 31 March 2001 and 31 March 2002 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Patricia Hewitt: Between 31 March 2001 and 31 March 2002 a Departmental Special Adviser accompanied me to Brussels on one occasion, to Madrid on two occasions and to Washington on one occasion. It is not practicable separately to identify the cost of these visits, but each journey complied with the Civil Service Code.

Corporate Governance

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has made on the European Commission's plans to enhance regulation on corporate governance.

Melanie Johnson: I welcome publication on 4 November 2002 by the Commission of the Report of the High Level Group of Company Law experts (''A Modern Regulatory Framework for Company Law in Europe'') on matters related to company law and corporate governance. I recognise the considerable work that has gone into this against a very demanding timetable and will be reviewing its recommendations in detail.
	I consider that the United Kingdom is well placed to contribute to the debate on corporate governance regulation within the European Union. Important UK initiatives include:
	Publication of the White Paper (''Modernising Company Law'') in July following completion of the Company Law Review last year;
	An independent review of Non-Executive Directors led by Derek Higgs which began in April;
	The work of the Co-ordinating Group on Audit and Accounting Issues which issued an Interim report in July;
	and Review of the Regulatory Regime of the Accountancy Profession which published a consultation document in October 2002.
	In order that this work can be reflected in the Commission's emerging plans. I have ensured that the Commission has been kept fully informed and aware of the ideas and thinking being generated by these, and other, domestic corporate governance initiatives through personal meetings and correspondence with the Commission, attendance at the Competitiveness Council on 30 September 2002 and follow up meetings at senior official level with the Commission.

Turkey

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to visit Turkey.

Patricia Hewitt: I have no plans to visit Turkey in the immediate future.

EU Agency Workers Directive

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library a copy of the EC legal appraisal of the competence of the proposed agency workers draft directive to cover pay; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: I am not able to put the requested information in the House of Commons library. As we said in the Explanatory Memorandum which we laid before this house in May 2002, ''there is an issue as to whether the directive can cover pay. The proposal applies an equal treatment principle to certain 'basic working and employment conditions' listed at article 3.1(d), including 'pay'. However, Article 137(6) provides that, 'the provisions of this article shall not apply to pay'. In the light of this, the Government took the view when agreeing to directives 97/81/EC and 99/70/EC on part-time work and fixed term work respectively, that these directives, which also have article 137 as a legal base, could not cover pay. On the face of it, it seems difficult to reconcile the specific inclusion of pay in the directive with the provision in Article 137(6).'' The House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee has endorsed this approach, following a scrutiny debate on 10 July 2002.

Employment Tribunals

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make provision to enable employment tribunal cases to be heard in North Staffordshire; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: Unfortunately I have not been able to glean the information necessary to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy in the Library of the House.

Employment Tribunals

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases were referred to the employment tribunals in Shrewsbury for dispute resolution from Stoke-on-Trent in each of the last five years.

Alan Johnson: It is not possible to interrogate the Employment Tribunals Service database at the Shrewsbury tribunal office to ascertain this information and a manual search of the public register of applications could only be done at disproportionate cost.
	However, a recent manual exercise which recorded the originating postcode of tribunal applications between 1 February and 28 June 2002 indicated that 275 cases came from postcode areas prefixed ST1–13 (covering Stoke-on-Trent and those surrounding ST postcode areas which fall within the jurisdiction of the Shrewsbury office). During the same period, the tribunals in England and Wales registered 31,609 applications.

Employment Tribunals

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will revise the map advising those travelling to the employment tribunal in Shrewsbury to include details of how to arrive by car and by public transport from Stoke-on-Trent.

Alan Johnson: Unfortunately I have not been able to glean the information necessary to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy in the Library of the House.

Electricity Disruption (Herefordshire)

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will set up an inquiry into the response of the electricity industry to the situation in Herefordshire caused by the storms of 26 and 27 October.

Brian Wilson: I have already launched a study into the performance of companies in their handling of the storms.
	It will look at:
	the robustness of the networks
	the preparations for the storms–acting on weather warnings
	the comparisons of performance with previous storms and events
	the telephone system and provision of information to customers
	the automated information systems
	the availability of management and deployment of staff and resources
	the availability of materials and the companies' perception of lessons learned.
	The findings will be mapped across to those of a study carried out earlier into the resilience and robustness of our electricity infrastructure.

Intellectual Property Rights

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will seek to lift restrictions on the export of generic drugs within the TRIPS Agreement at the WTO mini-ministerial meeting in Sydney on 14 November.

Patricia Hewitt: The Doha ''Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health'' made clear that the TRIPS Agreement should be interpreted and implemented in such a way as to protect public health and promote access to medicines for all.
	The EU is currently working with all WTO Members to find a solution to the issue of how WTO Members with insufficient manufacturing capacities in the pharmaceutical sector (mainly developing countries and Least Developed Countries) can make effective use of compulsory licensing under the TRIPS Agreement. We are hopeful that an effective and workable solution will be reached by the deadline of the end of the year.

Intellectual Property Rights

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has following the Commission on Intellectual Property rights report to call for a substantive review and revision of TRIPS; and what plans she has to recommend extending TRIPS implementation deadlines to all developing countries.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government are currently considering the report of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) and plans to respond to the recommendations contained in the CIPR report early in the New Year. However, the Government have no plans to call for substantive review and revision of TRIPS.
	The TRIPS Agreement lays down procedures for extending implementation deadlines for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The general implementation deadline is 2005 but an extension to 2016 was agreed for pharmaceutical products at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha. There is no specific mechanism for extending TRIPS implementation deadlines for all developing countries.
	The UK Government work through the EU on issues relating to the TRIPS Agreement. The UK Government support the development of objective criteria to form the basis upon which extensions on TRIPS transition periods should be agreed. The Government therefore support the introduction into TRIPS of a mechanism for extending transition periods for individual developing countries.

Airship Technology

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2002, Official Report, c.963W, what support has been given to British companies in the development of airship technology that could be used for fixed mobile telecommunications purposes.

Stephen Timms: The Department has provided support to the development of airship technology through the Smart Exceptional Project scheme and its civil aeronautics research programme. The aim of the support has been to enhance technical capability for a number of potential applications, which could include mobile telecommunications purposes.

Regulation

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new regulations were imposed on UK businesses in each year since 1997–98.

Nigel Griffiths: The number of Statutory Instruments (SIs) that this Department has passed is as follows:
	
		
			 Year SIs 
		
		
			 1997 130 
			 1998 135 
			 1999 178 
			 2000 148 
			 2001 126 
			 Jan-Oct 2002 100 
		
	
	Only a small proportion of SIs have a significant impact on business. Of the 100 SIs so far produced in 2002, 11 have produced benefits to business and 78 have had negligible or no impact. A regulatory impact assessment is produced for all SIs that have a cost to or benefit for business and copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
	The information is currently being collated.

Export Licences

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licence applications for the export of mass spectrometers to Iran have been made in each year since 1997; how many applications have been granted; how much and what value of mass spectrometers have been exported to Iran in each year; what undertakings were sought about end-use; and what end-use monitoring has been undertaken.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy the letter in the Library of the House

Export Licences

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many high-risk products/dual use pathogens and component materials related to the production of chemical and biological warfare capabilities have been refused export licenses to (a) Israel, (b) Egypt and (c) Sudan since the implementation of the her Department's Dual Use Items (Export Control) Regulations in 2001.

Nigel Griffiths: The export of dual use pathogens is controlled under entries 1C351, 1C352, 1C353 and 1C354 of Council Regulations (EC) 1334/2000 and 1C992 of the Dual Use Items (Export Control) Regulations of 2000. The Dual Use Items (Export Control) Regulations 2000 came into force on 28 September 2000.
	Between 28 September 2000 and 25 October 2002, no Standard Individual Export Licence applications or Open Individual Export Licence applications were refused, for items with the above ratings, where the end users were in Israel, Egypt or Sudan.

Export Licences

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications for export licences have been made by BAE Systems/the British Aerospace group, and for which destinations, in the last five years for (a) Hawk aircraft and (b) spare parts for Hawk aircraft.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Export Licences

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what export licences have been issued, when and for which destinations, for (a) Hawk aircraft and (b) spare parts for Hawk aircraft in the last five years.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Export Licences

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what export licences have been issued in the last 10 years for (a) arms and (b) military supplies to Zimbabwe.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Export Licences

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications for arms export licences have been made by (a) John Bredenkamp and (b) companies controlled by John Bredenkamp, and for which destinations in the last five years; and which of these applications for licences were granted.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Export Licences

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications have been made in the last five years for licences for the export of (a) arms and (b) military supplies to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and how many such licences were issued.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Export Licences

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications for export licences have been received in the last five years for (a) arms and (b) military supplies to Zimbabwe.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Export Licences

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British export licences to Iraq have been authorised in the last 12 months.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Export Licences

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British export licences have been issued, and to which countries, in the last 12 months.

Nigel Griffiths: It would entail disproportionate cost to establish how many British export licences have been issued, and to which countries, in the last 12 months. However, details of all relevant British export licences are published by calendar year and destination in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls; copies of which are available from the Libraries of the House.

Export Licences

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her assessment of the need for end-user controls within UK legislation on arms; and whether she plans secondary legislation under the Export Control Act 2002 that will introduce a more rigorous system of end-user controls.

Nigel Griffiths: The Government have made clear its commitment to effective monitoring of the end-use of UK defence exports where this can make a genuine contribution to preventing their diversion or misuse. However, follow-up monitoring can only confirm if UK exports have been misused or diverted after the export as taken place. We believe that the most effective way to prevent misuse or diversion of UK equipment is by rigorous assessment at the export licensing stage. To this end we have taken a number of steps to strengthen end-user risk assessment in the export licensing process. Before taking a decision on export licences, Ministers take into account all reliable information about end-users of potential concern, including reporting from other Government Departments and UK posts overseas, and also from any relevant information received from Non-Governmental Organisations and other external sources. Overseas posts have standing instructions to report any misuse of UK-origin defence equipment so that it can be taken into account in the licensing process. These measures do not require legislation and the Government does not therefore propose to include specific provisions on end-use monitoring in the secondary legislation to be introduced under the Export Control Act 2002.

Export Licences

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the consultation period on secondary legislation on the Export Control Act 2002 will begin.

Nigel Griffiths: The Government expect to publish the draft orders they propose to make under the Export Control Act 2002 and an accompanying consultation document before the end of the year.

Export Licences

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what plans she has to propose legislation on arms covering the activites of UK arms brokers wherever they are located; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans she has for secondary legislation on the Export Control Act 2002 to cover extra-territorial controls on the activities of UK arms brokers.

Nigel Griffiths: The Export Control Act 2002 contains a new general power that allows controls to be introduced on arms trafficking or brokering (referred to in the Act as trade) by persons in the UK and UK persons overseas. The Government has stated that it will use these powers to introduce extra-territorial controls on trade in controlled goods to embargoed destinations, trade in equipment the export of which has already been banned because of evidence of its use in torture, and trade in long-range missiles.

Export Licences

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licence applications for the export of furnaces to Iran have been made in each year since 1997; how many applications have been granted; how many and what value of furnaces have been exported to Iran in each year; what undertakings were sought about end-use; and what end-use monitoring has been undertaken.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Export Licences

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many licence applications for the export of inertial equipment using accelerometers to Iran have been made in each year since 1997; how many applications have been granted; how many and what value of such equipment have been exported to Iran in each year; what undertakings were sought about end-use; and what end-use monitoring has been undertaken.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Export Licences

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many licence applications for the export of maraging steels to Iran have been made in each year since 1997; how many applications have been granted; how much and what value of maraging steels have been exported to Iran in each year; what undertakings were sought about end-use; and what end-use monitoring has been undertaken.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Training Initiatives

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has taken place of (a) Stockholding 2000, (b) Export Strategy and (c) Benchmarking club training initiatives; what costs were associated with each project in each year since 1997–98; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: It is not clear which initiatives the hon. Member is referring to. If he writes with further information I will respond in detail.

John Bredenkamp

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussion her Department's officials have had in the last three years with (a) John Bredenkamp and (b) companies controlled by John Bredenkamp.

Nigel Griffiths: Unfortunately I have not been able to answer before Parliament is prorogued, but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what strategies her Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Patricia Hewitt: All applications for employment in my Department are considered on their merits, against the criteria and competences specified for the advertised vacancies.
	The Department's internal career development structure is governed by a diversity and equality policy which ensures that job opportunities are open to all staff regardless of their age. We are also working with the Employers Forum on Age to further develop initiatives and to share best practice with a range of public and private employers.
	The normal age of retirement for staff in my Department is either 60 for the Senior Civil Service or 65 for other staff.

Departmental Initiatives

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the schemes and initiatives sponsored by her Department and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out, showing (a) the authorities or areas covered by the scheme and (b) the budget of the scheme in the last year for which information is available.

Patricia Hewitt: Many DTI sponsored services are delivered at a regional and local level through Regional Development Agencies, Business Links and other local and regional organisations. These bodies often undertake local publicity campaigns for Government-sponsored services. To provide a list of this activity could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	My Department does run pilot schemes in certain localities from time to time, for example the SBS is currently piloting the City Growth Strategy in four regions in England (London, East Midlands, South West and North West). The total budget for this pilot is #1.5 million.

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what public consultations have been commenced by her Department in each month since 10 September; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Patricia Hewitt: The consultation documents published by the Department from 10 September until 5 November are as follows:
	
		
			  Date Published Date Closes 
		
		
			 Consultation on Topics for Forsight Projects 10–09–02 04–12–02 
			 Consultation on Competition Commission Monetary Penalties 18–09–02 16–12–02 
			 Consultation on Competition Appeal Tribunal Draft 18–09–02 16–12–02 
			 Possible Introduction Of ''Promote'' Licences To Encourage Exploration Activity On The UKCS 27–09–02 29–11–02 
			 New award for 28 GHz licences. Broadband Fixed 15–10–02 14–11–02 
			 Wireless Access (BFWA) at 28 GHz: proposals to amend new and existing licences and for the next stage of the award process Consultation on commencement dates for employment regulations 16–10–02 30–01–03 
			 Equality and Diversity: The Way Ahead 23–10–02 24–01–03 
			 Equality and Diversity: Making it Happen 23–10–02 24–01–03 
			 Developing the National Performance Framework for Trading Standards services 30–10–02 21–01–03 
			 Consultation on extending the Working Time Regulations to previously excluded sectors 31–10–02 31–01–03 
			 Public Wireless Networks—Exemption of User Stations 04–11–02 21–02–03 
		
	
	All DTI Consultation documents are available on the Departmental Website at www.dti.gov.uk

National Minimum Wage

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many successful prosecutions for failure to pay the national minimum wage there have been in (a) the London Borough of Enfield, (b) Greater London and (c) the United Kingdom since its introduction; and if she will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 contains a number of provisions empowering enforcement officers to take civil action against non-paying employers and the Inland Revenue always use these in the first instance.
	Since the minimum wage was introduced in April 1999 the Inland Revenue has issued around 450 enforcement notices requiring employers to start paying the minimum wage and make good any arrears, and identified over #11 million in arrears. A minority of disputed cases have been considered by employment tribunals. To date there have been no criminal prosecutions in relation to underpayment of the minimum wage.

TREASURY

Fuel Duty

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer If he will make a statement on his policy on the rates of duty on biodiesel and bioethanol.

John Healey: All duty rates are reviewed annually as part of the Budget process. In doing so, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer takes into account a range of economic, social and environmental factors.

Tax Incentives (Pensions)

Bill Tynan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on tax incentives for occupational pension schemes.

Ruth Kelly: The Government understand how important tax incentives are in encouraging retirement provision. The current pensions tax system is under review and we will consult on proposed changes later this year.

Tax Incentives (Pensions)

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change tax incentives for pensions provision.

Ruth Kelly: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of earlier today to the Member for Hamilton, South (Mr. Tynan)

Small Business

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding the impact of taxes and his deregulation policy on small businesses.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor meets regularly with my right hon. Friend, at which time he discusses a full range of relevant issues, including the Government's success at reducing the corporate tax burden on companies and introducing such reforms as a R&D tax credit and improvements to the capital gains tax regime.

Dividend Tax Credits (Pension Funds)

Phil Sawford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the long-term implications are of the abolition of dividend tax credits for pension funds; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The withdrawal of payable tax credits on dividends was part of a package of reforms that included cuts in corporation tax and the abolition of advance corporation tax. These changes were designed to improve the climate for long-term investment in the UK. In the long run, this should benefit all investors—including pension funds and those saving for retirement.

Dividend Tax Credits (Pension Funds)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has with other Ministers on the effects of his policies on pension funds.

Ruth Kelly: Treasury Ministers have many discussions with other Ministers on a range of matters, including pensions.

EU Stability Pact

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with other EU finance Ministers about the stability and growth pact.

Ruth Kelly: The Government support a prudent interpretation of the Stability Pact, which takes into account the impact of the economic cycle, sustainability and the important role of public investment. We continue to discuss this with our EU colleagues.

EU Stability Pact

Simon Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made on his five economic tests for euro entry of the effect of the operation of the stability and growth pact.

Ruth Kelly: The Government have consistently made clear that it supports a prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact that takes into account the economic cycle, sustainability and the important role of public investment.

EU Stability Pact

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the differences between his rules governing the level of public spending and those operated within the stability pact adopted within the Eurozone.

Ruth Kelly: As set out in paragraph 2.65 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report, the Budget 2002 projections are consistent with the Government's prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact which takes account of the economic cycle, sustainability and the important role of public investment (as specified in Article 104 of the EU Treaty).

Manufacturing Employment (North-West)

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the change in the manufacturing employment in the North West in 2001.

John Healey: Manufacturing employment declined at a much slower rate in the North West than in the UK as a whole in the 12 months to June 2002, despite declining at a faster rate than in the UK as a whole through 2001.

BCCI

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning the settlement arrangements for the creditors and ex-employees of BCCI.

Ruth Kelly: The hon. Gentleman wrote to the Paymaster General, who arranged for him to meet Inland Revenue officials recently to discuss the tax issues arising. I understand the meeting was a constructive and helpful one.

Overseas Aid Budget

Martin Caton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the UK Overseas Aid Development budget to reach the UN target level of 0.7 per cent. of gross national income.

John Healey: The Government remain fully committed to reaching the UN 0.7 per cent. ODA/GNI target. In the 2002 Spending Review we made substantial increases to the aid budget. The UK's level of overseas development assistance will be increased to 0.33 per cent. by 2003/04, up from 0.26 per cent. in 1997, and will reach 0.40 per cent. of GNI by 2005/06. This is the largest ever increase in UK aid and represents a 93 per cent. real terms increase since 1997.
	Aid effectiveness is also important as well as aid volumes. We are committed to redirecting the development assistance budget to the poorest countries, particularly those with effective governments pursuing high growth and pro-poor economic and social policies. In addition, we have untied all our aid as from 1 April 2001.

Debt Relief (Africa)

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on debt relief in respect of those countries affected by famine in Africa.

John Healey: The Government are very concerned about food crises in Africa and is acting decisively to limit the impact of famine on those countries affected. We have already committed a total of #68 million for humanitarian assistance and recovery programmes to the region and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Of the eight countries currently affected by famine, 4 are already benefiting from US$11 billion of debt relief that has been committed under the HIPC initiative.
	DfID's Southern Africa Humanitarian Crisis Unit (SAHCU) is currently being established in Johannesburg. The unit will assist the ongoing DfID response, carry out situation and needs assessments; and identify opportunities for further UK interventions if necessary.
	As part of this commitment to providing humanitarian assistance, DfID is supporting infrastructure programmes, such as the rehabilitation of the rail link between the port of Nacala in Mozambique and land-locked Malawi. The improved link is essential to the special emergency operation being run by the World Food Programme on behalf of the Malawian government to get food to those most at need. The total cost of the programme is #4.26 million, #4.1 million of which will be funded by DfID.
	In Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe food shortages have followed a poor season when coping mechanisms are already stretched. Poor governance has played a major role in the shortages, particularly in Zimbabwe where lack of inputs for small-holder agriculture, and the ruling party's disastrous economic and land policies, have both caused shortages and undercut survival strategies. Throughout the region HIV and AIDS has also weakened communities' capacity to cope with additional stress.
	The crisis underlines the need for good governance in Africa. The three worst affected countries (Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe) have been hit by drought, but have also suffered in varying degrees from economic problems and poor governance, which have turned a fall in agricultural production into a crisis. The drought has been exacerbated by corruption in Zambia under the previous administration, poor management of food stocks in Malawi, and disastrous land and economic policies in Zimbabwe.
	At the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank, the UK argued strongly that we should be prepared to use the flexibility in the HIPC initiative to provide additional debt relief to ensure a robust exit from unsustainable debt, particularly for those countries affected by extreme circumstances.
	The Government is working to strengthen the HIPC initiative to help the most vulnerable countries. In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session last year, the Chancellor set out the UK's agenda for strengthening the HIPC initiative. In addition to pressing for more cautious forecasts to assess debt sustainability, the Chancellor stressed the importance of additional debt relief (or topping-up) at Completion Point for those countries which have experienced external shocks such as natural disaster. In order to deliver these reforms, the UK has called for a further $1 billion to the HIPC initiative.
	At Kananaskis the UK was at the forefront of the international debate on debt relief, helping to secure agreement from the G7 that they fund their share of the $1 billion financing shortfall in the HIPC initiative. The UK is the second largest donor to the HIPC Trust Fund, pledging over $300 million in total since 1999.
	Ahead of the September meetings the UK made clear that, once again, we were prepared to shoulder our share of the burden, and called on other countries to follow our lead. The Development Committee welcomed these announcements of support and called upon other countries to make firm pledges and contributions as early as possible. I am pleased to report that, at a recent HIPC Technical Meeting in Paris, not only did the UK reaffirm its commitment to providing $120 million towards the $1 billion financing gap, but was joined by nearly all donors in making firm commitments totaling around $850 million.

Credit Unions

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to expand the role for credit unions.

Ruth Kelly: Credit unions have an important role to play in tackling financial exclusion and in providing greater choice and diversity in the financial services sector. That is why we have been involved in initiatives to help the movement grow and to enable credit unions to offer a greater range of services to their members.
	We are in the process of delivering a programme of legislative and regulatory changes to help improve the operational flexibility of credit unions. Also, through the Financial Services and Markets Act, we have brought credit unions under the regulatory supervision of the Financial Services Authority and given depositors with credit unions similar protection to those with banks or building societies. The new regulatory system, combined with our programme of deregulation, will give the movement a strong position from which to build and thrive.
	The Government will continue to work closely with the movement to support and encourage its future development.

Company Taxation

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Confederation of British Industry regarding the impact of company taxation on state UK businesses.

Dawn Primarolo: Treasury Ministers meet regularly with business leaders and others to discuss a wide range of topics.

Employment, Scotland

David Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future prospects for employment in Scotland.

Ruth Kelly: Since 1997 in Scotland, total employment has risen by 100,000 (or 4.4 per cent.) and claimant count unemployment has been reduced by 60,700 (or 37.4 per cent.).
	The UK Government and the Scottish Executive have put in place a comprehensive range of policies designed to reduce unemployment and get people back into work. These policies have already paid dividends and, as the figures show, will continue to benefit the Scottish labour market into the future.

Environmental Taxation

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the need for further changes to the taxation system to help deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

John Healey: The Government have introduced a range of fiscal measures to tackle carbon emissions, including the Climate Change Levy, and reforms to both Vehicle Excise Duty, fuel duties and the taxation of company cars. The Chancellor considers all relevant social, economic and environmental factors when deciding taxation policy.

Tax Concessions (Sports Clubs)

Andy Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made implementing his tax concessions scheme for community and amateur sports clubs.

John Healey: The legislation enabling community amateur sports clubs to benefit from certain tax reliefs was contained in Finance Act 2002. The Inland Revenue is now accepting applications for registration from qualifying sports clubs.

Landfill Tax

Tom Brake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for landfill tax.

John Healey: The Government announced in Budget 2002 that we anticipate the need for significant increases to the landfill tax in the medium term and that we will take future decisions on the tax in the light of the report of the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit waste project, which is due to be published later this year.

National Insurance (Women)

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Minister for Women and the Department of Work and Pensions regarding the position of women who paid national insurance contributions at the reduced rate for married women.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor discusses a wide range of issues with his Cabinet colleagues.

Deprived Communities

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to sponsor investment and enterprise in deprived communities.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are committed to encouraging enterprise, investment and wealth creation across all regions in Britain.
	We believe that enterprise can make a valuable contribution to the regeneration of disadvantaged communities, and bring significant benefits to these communities, such as new sources of employment for local people. In order to ensure that our most disadvantaged communities share in the country's rising prosperity, we have introduced a range of measures to encourage investment and enterprise in these areas. These include the Community Investment Tax Credit, the Bridges Community Development Venture Fund, the Phoenix Fund, and the introduction of an exemption from stamp duty for most property transactions in the 2000 most disadvantaged areas of the UK.
	Many of the Government's other policies are contributing to the creation of an environment in which businesses can start and grow in disadvantaged areas, including policies to develop the skills of the workforce, help the unemployed into work and improve the planning regime.

Tax Credits

James Plaskitt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Warwick and Leamington will benefit from the introduction of the working tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: 1,829 families in Warwick and Leamington were receiving WFTC or DPTC on 31st May 2002.
	The Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, to be introduced in April 2003, are expected to benefit around 6 million families.

Tax Credits

Ross Cranston: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for levels of social exclusion of any inability of individuals in low income employment to access Tax Credits for the cost of higher level skills training in the information technology sector.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government recognises that improving the skills of the workforce plays an important part in reducing social exclusion. The financial assistance available to adult learners is being reviewed in the context of the development of the Government's Skills Strategy, which will be published next year. In addition, the Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the normal Budget process.

Pensioners

John Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on measures to raise the standard of living of Britain's poorest pensioners.

Ruth Kelly: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 9 May 2002 (Official Report, 9 May 2002, column 339 W).

Unemployment (London)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the 12-month change in the claimant measure of unemployment in London.

Paul Boateng: Despite a relatively small rise over the past year, claimant unemployment in London is more than 40 per cent. down since spring 1997.

Tax Residence and Domicile Rules

Patsy Calton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of foreign investment in the UK that results from the non-domicile tax rules.

Dawn Primarolo: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on Budget Day that we are reviewing the residence and domicile rules as they affect tax liabilities of individuals. We believe that modernisation of these rules needs to be based on clear principles: the rules should be fair, clear, easy to operate and support the competitiveness of the British economy. As part of the review, various fact-finding exercises will be carried out, drawing on a range of sources.

Private Finance Initiative

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the full results of the retrospective application of the revised Treasury technical note, How to Account for PFI Transactions; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: The results to date of the retrospective application of the revised Treasury Taskforce Technical Note are set out in the table below. The table shows, for all PFI contracts that were operational by the end of the 2001–02 financial year, the accounting treatment that has been adopted.
	
		
			 Department/Project Capital Value #million Start of operation Accounting Treatment 
		
		
			 DCMS
			 Royal Parks Agency—Pembroke Lodge 1 1997 On 
			 British Library—Catering Service 1 1998 Off 
			 DETR
			 Dartford Crossing 180 1987 On 
			 Second Severn Crossing 331 1990 On 
			 A50 DBFO Road 21 1996 On 
			 A19 DBFO Road 29 1996 On 
			 A40 DBFO Road 65 1996 On 
			 A417/419 DBFO Road 49 1996 On 
			 A30/35 DBFO Road 65 1996 On 
			 A1(M) DBFO Road 128 1996 On 
			 M1/A1 Link DBFO Road 214 1996 On 
			 A13 DBFO Road (Transferred to GLA) 146 2000 Off 
			 Birmingham Northern Relief Road 485 1992 Off 
			 LUL Northern Line Trains 409 1995 Off 
			 LT Prestige (transferred to TfL) 137 1998 Off 
			 QEIICC—Catering 3 1997 Off 
			 DoH
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital—Woolwich 118 2001 Off 
			 North East London Mental Health NHST—Reprovision and Geriatric Day Centre 11 2002 Off 
			 Dartford & Gravesham NHST 94 2000 Off 
			 South Buckinghamshire NHST 45 2000 On 
			 West Sussex Health & Social Care NHST 22 2000 Off 
			 Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital NHST 158 2001 Off 
			 Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospital 17 2000 Off 
			 North Staffordshire Combined NHST 19 2001 Off 
			 Calderdale Healthcare NHST—redevelopment of services 65 2001 Off 
			 North Durham Healthcare NHST 61 2001 Off 
			 DTI
			 ELGAR—IT service provision 30 1999 Off 
			 Re-build of NPL 82 2000 Off 
			 DWP
			 ITSA 1 2000 Off 
			 Newpay 6 1999 Off 
			 IT Partnership Project 116 1998 Off 
			 Home Office
			 Parc Prison 47 1999 On 
			 Altcourse Prison 68 1999 On 
			 Lowdham Grange 25 1998 On 
			 Ashfield (Pucklehurst) Prison 26 1999 On 
			 Forest Bank Prison 45 2000 On 
			 Rye Hill Prison 37 2001 On 
			 Dovegate Prison 64 2001 On 
			 Inland Revenue
			 IR Manchester 32 1998 Off 
			 IR Glasgow 10 1998 Off 
			 IR Edinburgh 10 1998 Off 
			 IR St. John's House Bootle 12 2000 Off 
			 Newcastle Estates Development 163.8 1999 Off 
			 Steps (joint IR with C&E) 220 (IR 157 and 
			 C&E 63) 2001 Off 
			 LCD
			 Court Service—Probate Records 11 1999 Off 
			 Centre Contract
			 LCD HQ—Libra 68 2001 Off 
			 LCD—Aramis 40 1998 Off 
			 Court Service—LOCCS 20 1996 On 
			 MOD
			 Attack Helicopter Training Service 165 2002 Off 
			 Defence Helicopter Flying School 74 1998 On 
			 Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew 114 1999 Off 
			 Training Facility
			 Joint Services Command and Staff College 93 2001 Married quarters 
			 Off. 
			Main student/ 
			 residential facilities 
			 On 
			 Training, Administration & Financial Management Information 
			 System 41 1998 Off 
			 Electronic Messaging Services 17 1998 Off 
			 Material Handling Equipment 8 1997 Off 
			 Tornado GR4 Simulator 62 2002 Off 
			 RAF Cosford/RAF Shawbury Family Quarters 15 2001 Off 
			 Central Scotland Family Quarters 25 2001 Off 
			 National Assembly for Wales
			 A55 Llandegai to 112 1998 Off 
			 National Savings
			 PPP for Operational Services 37 2000 Off 
			 Scottish Executive
			 Skye Bridge 24 1997 Off 
			 M6 DBFO 103 1999 Off

Private Finance Initiative

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate by how much public borrowing as a percentage of GDP would have to be raised to cover the capital expenditure of all current and past projects financed through PFI/PPP.

Paul Boateng: It is estimated that, by the end of this year, the value of PFI/PPP contracts signed will increase private sector capital expenditure on public services to over #25 billion. Revised estimates are published annually in the Budget and updated during the financial year under arrangements agreed with the National Audit Office.
	It is not possible to calculate accurately the increased level of public debt that would be created if these projects were funded instead by the public sector. That would depend on the way in which the project was taken forward. Since the abolition of universal testing, public authorities choose the method of procurement which is best suited to individual projects.

Partnerships UK

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the members of Partnerships UK and their interest in companies involved in past privatisation projects in each case.

Paul Boateng: The private sector shareholders of Partnerships UK are as listed:
	Abbey National Treasury Services plc
	Sun Life Assurance Society plc (HSBC Global Custody
	Nominees (UK) Limited)
	The Prudential Assurance Company Limited
	Barclays Industrial Investments Limited
	Royal Bank Project Investments Limited
	The Governor and Company of Bank of Scotland (Uberior Investments plc)
	Halifax Project Investments Limited
	Serco Limited
	The British Land Company plc (Boldswitch Limited)
	Group 4 Falck Joint Venture Limited
	Jarvis plc
	The details of their holdings in the companies involved in past privatisations are not held centrally.

Mapeley

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  which IR and C and E buildings are owned by (a) Mapeley UK Ltd, (b) Mapeley Steps Ltd, (c) Mapeley Steps Contractor Ltd and (d) Mapeley Columbus Ltd; and whether the companies owning and maintaining the IR offices is based in Britain;
	(2)  what independent valuation was carried out on the Tax and Customs offices sold to Mapeley; and what it indicated the buildings were worth;
	(3)  how much stamp duty has been paid by Mapeley on the purchase of Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise Offices;
	(4)  what difference is between the amount the Inland Revenue will pay in rent each year to Mapeley and what it would have cost them if they still owned the buildings themselves.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 31 October 2002
	The information to answer the HM's question about the amount of stamp duty paid by the Mapeley consortium is covered by the Inland Revenue's legal duty of taxpayer confidentiality which is laid down by S182 of Finance Act 1989 which states, at sub section 1.
	A person who discloses any information which he holds or has held in the exercise of tax functions, tax credit functions or social security functions is guilty of an offence if it is information about any matter relevant, for the purposes of any of those functions.
	Valuation of the Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise buildings was carried out as part of the STEPS process by independent valuers. This was performed by Insignia Richard Ellis in conjunction with Gerald Eve. Their opinion of Market Value was #370 million.
	Under the Mapeley contract the Inland Revenue pays Mapeley STEPS Contractor Ltd for the provision of fully serviced accommodation. A full appraisal was done at the time of the contract and that appraisal indicated that there would be a significant benefit to the Departments from the proposed arrangement over the lifetime of the contract compared with the status quo at that time.
	The table below lists the Departments' properties which (with three exceptions) were transferred to Mapeley STEPS Ltd which is registered in Bermuda. The three exceptions were Custom House Southampton, Rutland House Bradford and 23 Piccadilly York which were sold to Mapeley STEPS Contractor Ltd which is UK registered. Some buildings were considered to be of particular importance (including primarily buildings of historical significance) and were not sold. Those properties within this category over which Mapeley STEPS Ltd are granted a long lease are included on the list. The maintenance and day to day services are provided by Mapeley STEPS Contractor Ltd which is a UK registered company.
	
		
			 Department Property Address Tenure 
		
		
			 HMCE Garage, 60 Inchinnan Road, Paisley, Strathclyde, PA3, Scotland Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Killyhevlin, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 4EJ, Northern Ireland Leasehold 
			 HMCE Portcullis House, No4 Gate, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3NT, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Orchard Place, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3NS, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Chaucer's Walk, Furthergate Industrial Park, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 3AF, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, The Strand, St. Marys, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, TR21 0PS, England Freehold 
			 HMCE 44 York Place, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH1 3JW, Scotland Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Custom House Quay, Greenock, Strathclyde, PA15 1EQ, Scotland Leasehold 
			 HMCE 24 West Argyll Street, Ullapool, Highland, IV26 2UB, Scotland Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, 10 Harbour Terrace, Wick, Highland, KW1 5HB, Scotland Freehold 
			 HMCE Priory Court, St. John's Road, Dover, Kent, CT17 9SH, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Lower Thames Street, London, Greater London, EC3R 6EE, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE C&E Garage & Wreck Shed, Crittens Road, Cobholm, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1HZ, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Custom House—Gravesend, The Terrace, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2BW, England Freehold 
			 HMCE The Watch House, Watch House Lane, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7QH, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Eaton Court, 104–112 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7FU, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Garrison Point, Sheerness Docks, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1PB, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, 90–100 Albion Street, South Wick, Shoreham, East Sussex, BN4 4EE, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Queens Dock, Kings Dock (off Chaloner Street), City Centre, Liverpool, Merseyside, L74 4AA, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Portcullis House, 27 Victoria Avenue, Southend, Essex SS2 6AL, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Phoenix House, 1 Wards Road, Elgin, Grampian, V30 1QL, Scotland Freehold 
			 HMCE Portcullis House, New Harbour Road South, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4AJ, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Furness Quay, Salford, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M5 2XX, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Bretonside Garage, 29 Bretonside, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 0BB, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Boundary House, Cheadle Point, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 2JZ, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Newhaven Harbour, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 0BD, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Multi Storey Car Park, Baxter Avenue, Southend, Essex SS2 9XX, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Alexandra Dock, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1LR, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, The Parade, Barbican, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2JP, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Queens Quay, Londonderry, County Derry, BT48 7AR, Northern Ireland Freehold 
			 HMCE Carne House, 20 Corry Place, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9HY, Northern Ireland Leasehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Queens Square, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3ET, Northern Ireland Leasehold 
			 HMCE Lingate House, 102 Chapel Lane, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN3 4BJ, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Northstar House, Great North Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Computer Complex, Campfield Road, Shoeburyness, Essex, SS3 9BX, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Clayton Street, Avonmouth, Avon, BS11 9DX, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, View Point Road, Felixstowe Dock, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 8RF, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Main Road, Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3PG, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Pontoon Pier & Jetties, Custom House, The Terrace, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2BW, England Freehold 
			 HMCE East Lock, Alexandra Dock, Newport, Gwent, NP9 2NP, Wales Leasehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Heathrow, Nettleton Road, Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Greater London, TW6 2LA, England Leasehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Carnbane Way, Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry, County Down, BT35 6QG, Northern Ireland Freehold 
			 HMCE Garage (Portline House), 2–16 Pope Street, London, Greater London, SE1 3PR, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Towergate, 163 Towerbridge Road, London, Greater London, SE1 3LT, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Chaucer House, 12 Vikingway, Church Manor Way, Erith, Kent, DA8 1EW, England Freehold 
			 IR Crown Building, 47 Clarendon Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD1 1HC, England Freehold 
			 IR Lyndhurst House, 120 Bunns Lane, London, Greater London, NW7 2AP, England Freehold 
			 IR Gracemead House, Woods Avenue, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 8NJ, England Freehold 
			 IR Crown Building, 41–55 Windmill Hill, Ruislip, Greater London, HA4 8BR, England Freehold 
			 IR Park House, 22 Park Street, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 1UX, England Leasehold 
			 IR Woolwich Crown Building, 48 Woolwich New Road, Woolwich, London, Greater London, SE18 6DY, England Freehold 
			 IR Charles House, 375 Kensington High St., London, Greater London, W14 8QS, England Leasehold 
			 IR Kew Sorting Centre, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DW, England Freehold 
			 IR Bush House S.W.Wing, Strand, London, Greater London, WC2 4RD, England Leasehold 
			 IR Newton Road, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 6RH, England Freehold 
			 IR Iceni House, Newland Street, Witham, Essex, CM8 2AX, England Freehold 
			 IR Dencora Court, Tylers House, Tylers Ave, Southend, Essex, SS1 2BE, England Freehold 
			 IR Bowback House, 299 Silbury Boulevard, Witan Gate West, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK9 1NG, England Freehold 
			 IR Saxon House, 1 Causeway Lane, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 4AA, England Freehold 
			 IR Portman Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 2ED, England Freehold 
			 IR Bondgate Hall, Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1PX, England Freehold 
			 IR Foyle House, Duncreggan Road, Londonderry, County Derry, BT48 0AA, Northern Ireland Freehold 
			 IR Downshire House, Merchants Quay, Newry, County Down, BT35 6HS, Northern Ireland Freehold 
			 IR Dorchester House, 52–58 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 7BB, Northern Ireland Freehold 
			 IR Warwick House, Grantham Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE2 1QH, England Freehold 
			 IR Albion House, Northway, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 7AN, England Freehold 
			 IR 23 Piccadilly, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 1PG, England Freehold 
			 IR Fern House, 1A Adelaide Avenue, Coleraine, County Derby, BT52 1AJ, Northern Ireland Freehold 
			 IR Abbey House, Head Street, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 7JL, Northern Ireland Freehold 
			 IR 63 College Street, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1TN, England Freehold 
			 IR Dukes House, 34 Hoghton Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 0RJ, England Freehold 
			 IR Eskdale House, Shap Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6RF, England Freehold 
			 IR Birchen House, 2 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside, L41 6QS, England Freehold 
			 IR Towneley House, Kingsway, Burnley, Lancashire, BB1 1AA, England Freehold 
			 IR Albert Bridge House, 1 Bridge Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 9AF, England Freehold 
			 IR Bridgeman House, Bridgeman Terrace, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN1 1TR, England Leasehold 
			 IR Stone Cross House, 21–27 Churchgate, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 1YA, England Freehold 
			 IR Comben House, Bridle Road, Netherton Estate, Netherton, Sefton MBC, Merseyside, L30, England Leasehold 
			 IR Ruby House, 8 Ruby Place, Aberdeen, Grampian, AB9 2ZP, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Russell House, King Street, Ayr, Strathclyde, KA8 0BD, Scotland Leasehold 
			 IR 2 Muiryhall Street, Coatbridge, Strathclyde, ML5 3EJ, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR St. Mungo's Road, Cumbernauld, Strathclyde, G70 5TR, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Anchorage House, High Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4QR, England Freehold 
			 IR Medval House, Mote Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6AE, England Freehold 
			 IR 8 Ogle Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 7HY, England Freehold 
			 IR IRO Durrington, Barrington Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 4XL, England Freehold 
			 IR Durrington Bridge House, Barrington Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 4SE, England Freehold 
			 IR Northbank House, North Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2NX, England Freehold 
			 IR Westgate House, North Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3PL, England Freehold 
			 IR Revenue Buildings, Chequergate, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 0LL, England Freehold 
			 IR Crown House, 50–52 Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1JL, England Freehold 
			 IR 11–21 Millgate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 4XW, England Freehold 
			 IR Inland Revenue Accounts Office, Victoria Street, Shipley, West Yorkshire, BD98 8AA, England Freehold 
			 IR Government Buildings, Holland Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 1UJ, England Freehold 
			 IR Holland House, 17 High St, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 1TS, England Freehold 
			 IR Huntingdon Court, 90–94 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 3HG, England Freehold 
			 IR Joseph Locke House, Heelis Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 1LG, England Freehold 
			 IR Symons House, Belgrave Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8DD, England Freehold 
			 IR Lawress Hall, Riseholme Park, Riseholme, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 2BJ, England Leasehold 
			 IR Chaucer House, Commercial St, Off Station St, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 1SY, England Freehold 
			 IR Castle Meadow Campus, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 1BE, England Freehold 
			 IR 161 Brooms Road, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, DG1 3EX, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Auchincraig House, Argyll Road, Dunoon, Strathclyde, PA23 8ED, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Meldrum House, 15 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH3 7UY, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Grayfield House, Bankhead Ave, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH11 4AE, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR 1 Barrack Street, Hamilton, Strathclyde, ML3 0HS, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR 51 North Bridge Street, Hawick, Borders, TD9 9QH, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR 9 King Street, Rothesay, Strathclyde, PA20 0DE, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR 1–3 Water Vennel, Perth, Tayside, PH1 5UD, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Moray House, East Cathcart Street, Buckie, Grampian, AB5 1AN, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Saltire House, Pentland Park, Glenrothes, Fife, KY6 2AL, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Marress House, Friars Croft, Irvine, Strathclyde, KA12 8EE, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Meadowbank Street, 15 Meadowbank Street, Dumbarton, Strathclyde, G82 3JR, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR Queensway House, Stewartsfield Way, Peel Park, Eastkilbride, Strathclyde, G79 1AA, Scotland Freehold 
			 IR 34–36 Wellesley Road, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8EN, England Freehold 
			 IR Vespasian House, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1PX, England Freehold 
			 IR Madford House, Madford Lane, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 9EG, England Leasehold 
			 IR Penlowarth, St. Marys Terrace, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4EB, England Freehold 
			 IR Lysnoweth, Infirmary Hill, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2JD, England Freehold 
			 IR 20 Priory Road, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1TB, England Freehold 
			 IR The Apex, 2 Brest Road, Derriford Business Park, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 5XX, England Freehold 
			 IR Penhaligon House, Trinity Street, St. Austell, Cornwall, PL25 5BG, England Freehold 
			 IR Sherborne House, Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2PF, England Freehold 
			 IR Piran House, Nettles Hill, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 1SN, England Freehold 
			 IR Horsefair House, 35 King Street, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 9BR, England Freehold 
			 IR Rutland House, 116 Manningham Lane, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD8 7JW, England Freehold 
			 IR Crown House, Heaton Street, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 2BJ, England Freehold 
			 IR Ty Glyn, High Street, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 1YN, Wales Freehold 
			 IR Government Buildings, 48 Free Street, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7BP, Wales Freehold 
			 IR Ty Glas, Ty Glas Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF4 5ZD, Wales Freehold 
			 IR Government Buildings, 1 Cherry Grove, Haverfordwest, Dyfed, SA61 2NW, Wales Freehold 
			 IR Government Buildings, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, Mid-Glamorgan, CF47 8SX, Wales Freehold 
			 IR 11 Chepstow Road, Newport, Gwent, NP9 8WA, Wales Freehold 
			 IR Ty Moelwyn, Britannia Terrace, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NB, Wales Freehold 
			 IR Ty Nant, 180 High Street, Swansea, West Glamorgan, SA1 5AP, Wales Freehold 
			 IR Dolanog House, 24 Severn Road, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7DA, Wales Freehold 
			 IR Plas Gororau, Wrexham Technology Park, Wrexham, Clwyd, LL13 7YY, Wales Leasehold 
			 IR Inland Revenue House, Parabola Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3BE, England Freehold 
			 IR Lower Leys, Burford Road, Bengeworth, Evesham, Hereford & Worcester, WR11 5AE, England Freehold 
			 IR Broadway House, 32/35 Broad Street, Hereford, Hereford & Worcester, HR4 9AZ, England Freehold 
			 IR Jephson House, Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4EJ, England Freehold 
			 IR Plas Ffynnon, 12/14 Middleton Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2PW, England Freehold 
			 IR Bennfield House, 12 Corporation Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2DP, England Freehold 
			 IR Crown Building, Alcester Road, Stratford On Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9BU, England Freehold 
			 IR Merrywalks House, 2 The Hill, Merrywalks, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1QD, England Freehold 
			 IR Crown House, Birch Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 4JY, England Freehold 
			 IR Powell House, Church Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 4DS, England Freehold 
			 IR Old Meb Buildings, Riddings Road, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY6 1TF, England Freehold 
			 IR Boyd House 1, Lawn Central, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4HQ, England Freehold 
			 IR Matheson House, Grange Central, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4ER, England Freehold 
			 IR Boyd House II, Lawn Central, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4HQ, England Freehold 
			 VOA 34 Southway, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7BB, England Freehold 
			 VOA Wagonway Rd, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1QL, England Freehold 
			 VOA Darwin House, 2 The Mount, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 8PU, England Leasehold 
			 VOA 6 Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 5AF, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, 18 Quay Walls, Berwick, Northumberland, TD15 1HB, England Freehold 
			 HMCE Custom House, Hedon Road, King George Dock West, Hull, Humberside, HU9 5PW, England Leasehold 
			 VOA Charnwood House, Charnwood Road, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, DG1 3AG, Scotland Freehold

Mapeley

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what renegotiation is taking place on the Inland Revenue Customs STEPS contract with Mapeley; and who initiated it.

Dawn Primarolo: Discussions have taken place between the Departments and Mapeley following an approach from the company.

Social Fund Budget

Patsy Calton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase the Social Fund budget, with particular reference to (a) the Community Care Grant and (b) the Budgeting Loan budgets.

Paul Boateng: The Government are examining options to enable the Social Fund better to fulfil its aim of helping the poorest and most vulnerable people in society meet certain needs.

Alternative Fuels

Mark Todd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce fiscal incentives to encourage consumers to purchase and use combined electric and petrol engine powered vehicles.

John Healey: The Government have introduced fiscal incentives for the purchase of combined electric and petrol powered vehicles through discounts in vehicle excise duty and company car tax.
	Furthermore, the Government are also promoting the use of cleaner fuels through schemes such as the PowerShift programme, which offers grants for motorists to buy or convert vehicles which run on LPG, natural gas or electricity.

Alternative Fuels

Ann Winterton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal incentives he has made available for the wider use of alternative fuels for motor vehicles.

John Healey: In successive Budgets, the Chancellor has introduced a number of initiatives to promote the use of cleaner fuels. These include duty differentials for road fuel gases and bio-diesel, discounts to vehicle excise duty for cars using cleaner fuels, and the environment-focused changes to the company car tax system.
	Furthermore, the Government continues to promote the use of cleaner fuels through schemes such as the PowerShift programme, which offers grants for motorists to buy or convert vehicles which run on LPG, natural gas or electricity, and the Green Fuel Challenge which is supporting projects for the development of biogas, ethanol and hydrogen through duty reliefs.

VAT Compliance Costs

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 2002, Official Report, column 352W, on VAT, for what reason he is unable to give a publication date; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Ministers are considering the research methodology, data and analysis in this research, in accordance with their continuing commitment to reduce compliance costs for VAT—registered businesses.

Gift Aid

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Excheque what the value of shares given in Gift Aid was in the last tax year.

John Healey: There is no Gift Aid scheme on gifts of shares. However, Budget 2000 introduced relief at a taxpayer's marginal tax rate on gifts of shares and other qualifying investments.
	The value of shares and other qualifying investments given to charities in 2000–01 is estimated at #100 million.

Regional GDP

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to decrease disparities in regional gross domestic product per capita; and which Minister is in charge of these efforts.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 7 November 2002
	The Government set out in the 2002 Spending Review White Paper (Cm 5570) the steps which it is taking to promote prosperity in every region of the UK. Given the Government's long term ambition to reduce the persistent gap in performance between regions, the Spending Review established a new Public Service Agreement target to make sustainable improvements in the economic performance of all English regions and over the longer term reduce the persistent gap in growth rates between the regions. This target, as described in full in the 2002 Spending Review White Paper, is jointly owned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, DTI and the Treasury. Devolved policies are the responsibility of the devolved administrations.

Third World Debt

Ben Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on recent measures he has taken to reduce third world debt.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chancellor to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) earlier today.

Census

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the groups recognised in Census 2001 with numbers of less than 700,000 as recorded in the 1991 Census; which groups other than Sikhs requested separate monitoring for the Census 2001 but were denied their request; and which groups recognised in law as distinct ethnic groups requested separate monitoring for the Census 2001 but were denied their request.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 7 November 2002
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the groups recognised in the 2001 Census with numbers of less than 700,000 as recorded in the 1991 Census; which groups other than Sikhs requested separate monitoring for the 2001 Census but were denied their request; and which groups recognised in law as separate ethnic groups requested separate monitoring for the Census but were denied their request.
	Those ethnic group categories identified in the 2001 Census question on ethnic group by a separate tick box responses, but for which less than 700,000 responses had been recorded in the 1991 Census question, were:
	Mixed White and Black/Caribbean
	Mixed White and Black African
	Mixed White and Asian
	Pakistani
	Bangladeshi
	Black Caribbean
	Black African
	Chinese
	The matter of determining which ethnic group categories should be specifically identified in the 2001 Census resulted from a programme of wide consultation with census users on their requirements for information and with representatives of the various ethnic communities, and of extensive small- and large-scale testing of potential questions, including a major Census Test in 1997 and the Census Rehearsal in 1999.
	The question that was eventually proposed in the Government's White Paper on the 2001 Census in March 1999 and which was subsequently included in the 2001 Census in England and Wales, following approval by Parliament, had been revised in consultation with users, both to meet their requirements for additional information, particularly about the Irish population in Great Britain and people of mixed origin, and to be as acceptable as possible to respondents.
	Special attention had been given to using words or terms that encompassed the widest range of attributes including birthplace, race and cultural characteristics.
	The new response categories were such as to provide optimum comparability with the 1991 Census question while, at the same time, attempting to improve response to the question particularly among those communities who, tests had shown, preferred to describe themselves as ''Black British'' or ''Asian British''.
	Prior to the 2001 Census, a number of representations were made to ONS to include in the ethnic group question, additional tick boxes response categories for the purpose of recognising particular groups. Other than those from the Sikh community, these included representations concerning the following groups that could not, in the event, be included in the question, either because there was not a sufficiently wide enough user support or because the case was made too late:
	Welsh
	English
	Cornish
	Kashmiri
	Arab
	Greek
	Turkish
	Kurdish
	Cypriot
	Vietnamese
	Gypsies/Travellers
	However no such group—whether or not subject to any lawful recognition as an ethnic group—was denied the opportunity of being recognised as such in the 2001 Census, since the form of the ethnic group question provided for write-in responses within each of the main groups in order to allow persons to describe their ethnicity in whichever way they chose. I announced at the time of the Census that such responses would be identified in coding and that counts would be made available in the results if there were a user requirement for the information.
	Additional and specific information on Sikhs was, however, collected in the 2001 Census through the new question on religion.

Tax Fraud

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the present practice of the Board of Inland Revenue is with regard to instituting criminal proceedings in cases of suspected serious tax fraud.

Gordon Brown: Further to the statement made on 18 October 1990 at column 882 by the then Chancellor, the right hon. John Major, the practice of the Board of Inland Revenue in cases of suspected serious tax fraud is as follows:
	The Board reserves complete discretion to pursue prosecutions in the circumstances it considers appropriate.
	Where serious tax fraud has been committed, the Board may accept a money settlement instead of pursuing a criminal prosecution.
	The Board will accept a money settlement and will not pursue a criminal prosecution, if the taxpayer, in response to being given a copy of this Statement by an authorised officer, makes a full and complete confession of all tax irregularities.

Royal Mint

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 1030w, on the Royal Mint; if he will make a statement on progress on the independent review.

Ruth Kelly: The independent review has now been completed.

Royal Mint

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings each of the Royal Mint's non-executive directors have attended in the last 12 months.

Ruth Kelly: The table shows the number of occasions on which each of the Royal Mint's non-executive directors have been able to attend meetings of the Board and Audit Committee in the last year (period covered 1 November 2001 to 31 October 2002).
	
		
			  Management Board Audit Committee 
		
		
			 David Stark 6 2 
			 Lyndon Hadden 6 2 
			 Jan Smith 6 2 
			 David Trapnell 5 1 
			 Lucy Woods 2  
		
	
	The non-executive directors' contribution of course goes much wider than this, offering advice and challenge in less formal ways.

Royal Mint

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the (a) statutory, (b) economic and (c) security reasons preventing the Treasury from splitting its contract for circulating coins between manufacturer, design and specification.

Ruth Kelly: The Royal Mint, a government department financed by a trading fund, is the part of central government currently responsible for the manufacture and issue of UK circulation coins. It carries out these functions in agreement with HM Treasury as the department with overall responsibility for the economy and financial affairs. The Royal Mint Advisory Committee, a separate public body, the members of which are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Chancellor, is currently responsible for advice on coin design.

Royal Mint

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the Royal Mint's fixed costs are covered by its Treasury contract for UK coin production in 20012002.

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Royal Mint is benefiting from the contribution to overheads made on its monopoly circulating coin contract with the Treasury to price down overseas contracts in competition with the privately owned Birmingham Mint.

Ruth Kelly: The detail of the Royal Mint's agreement with the Treasury for the supply of domestic circulating coin is commercially confidential and cannot be disclosed in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The agreement is a challenging one for the Mint, providing a commercial rate of return below that expected of the business overall. The Mint believes that there is no cross-subsidisation involved between the UK circulating coin element of the business and the overseas business, and is preparing with the involvement of the National Audit Office a confidential note for the Public Accounts Committee which sets out the evidence.

Royal Mint

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) statutory and (b) security issues preclude the Treasury from putting out to tender its requirement for (i) UK circulating coins and (ii) manufacture of blanks-for-sterling coins.

Ruth Kelly: There are no insurmountable statutory obstacles to putting the arrangements for the supply of circulation coins out to tender. Of key importance however is security of supply.
	The Treasury keeps the arrangements for the supply of circulation coins under review. The current arrangements with the Royal Mint have several years to run. They are designed to enable both the Treasury and the Mint to plan for the medium term on a commercial basis, and to ensure a cost-effective supply of coins to meet demand.
	It is only finished coins that are obtained from the Royal Mint. Whether to purchase blanks from outside sources, for use in the production of UK circulation coinage, is a commercial decision for the Mint.

Royal Mint

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which joint ventures have been (a) concluded and (b) disbanded by the Royal Mint in the period since December 1999.

Ruth Kelly: The Royal Mint enters into and terminates a wide variety of business relationships, contracts and other ventures.

Royal Mint

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what the (a) sales and (b) revenue forecasts for (i) UK and (ii) overseas coin sales the Capital Investment Programme for the Royal Mint in 1997 to 2000 was based.

Ruth Kelly: The underlying internal commercial assumptions and forecasts used were drawn from the Royal Mint's Corporate Plan and based on the experience of management at the time.

Royal Mint

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions the Royal Mint has bought in coin blanks in the last five years, and what the quantity has been in each of these cases.

Ruth Kelly: The following table gives the number of contracts awarded for circulating coin blanks for the last 5 years together with the total quantity ordered in each year.
	
		
			  Contracts Tonnes 
		
		
			 200102 2 3 
			 200001 6 559 
			 199900   
			 199899 8 1737 
			 199798 4 715

Inheritance Tax

Nick Harvey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend Member for Truro and St. Austell Matthew Taylor of 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 600W, on inheritance tax, if he will break down the cost of the inheritance tax cultural exemption scheme; and what the value was of each object accepted.

Dawn Primarolo: The breakdown is as follows:
	
		
			  Yield+/Cost- 
		
		
			 Net effect of conditional exemption (relief #8 million, less tax clawed back in respect of items losing conditional exemption #10 million) +#2 million 
			 Tax value of items accepted in lieu of tax -#8 million 
			 Cost of other heritage reliefs (private treaty sales and maintenance funds) -#2 million 
			 Net cost for 20012002 -#8 million 
		
	
	These costs are recorded for the year in which all heritage aspects of a particular case are settled. Details of items accepted in lieu of tax, and the tax they can settle, are published by the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries by reference to the year (often earlier) when an acceptance is agreed. Their 20002002 Report can be found at http://www.resource.gov.uk/action/ail/OOail.asp.
	Exemption 15 (Statutory and other restrictions) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies to the value of objects taken into account for purposes of the other heritage reliefs.

Stamp Duty

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's projected income from stamp duty on share transactions is for (a) the current financial year and (b) each of the next three financial years; and what income has been received in each financial year since 1997.

Ruth Kelly: Details of the Stamp Duty projections are not published. Stamp Duty receipts arising from transactions in shares and other securities, for the financial years since 1997, are given on the Inland Revenue website at: http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/stampduty/sdt011.htm.

Stamp Duty

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission on stamp duty.

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the European Commission regarding his proposed policy of abolishing stamp duty on commercial properties in rundown areas; and when he expects approval to be given.

John Healey: The extension of the stamp duty relief for non-residential property in disadvantaged areas is a key part of the Government's overall drive to regenerate deprived areas. We have already exempted from stamp duty all property transactions in disadvantaged areas where the consideration is less than #150,000.
	We now want to extend that relief to exempt all non-residential properties in disadvantaged areas.
	Officials have been pursuing full approval of this relief as state aid since we notified the measure to the European Commission. In addition, I met Commissioner Monti in September to discuss our application for approval as state aid of this measure. As part of a wider discussion on a range of issues, the Chancellor discussed this issue with Commissioner Monti in October.
	The European Commission is currently conducting a thorough review of our application. Clearly we cannot pre-empt the timing of state aid approval since this is a matter for the European Commission.

Stamp Duty

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many applications have been received for relief from stamp duty on houses worth less than #150,000;
	(2)  what he estimates the total amounts of stamp duty is that purchasers have saved from the abolition of stamp duty on houses worth less than #150,000.

John Healey: Between the implementation of the relief at the end of November 2001 and the end of August 2002, relief had been granted for around 35,000 residential properties. This figure does not include transactions where the consideration is less than #60,000 since these are not currently chargeable to stamp duty.
	Forecasts of the amount of stamp duty exemption for disadvantaged areas were given in table A2.1 of the Budget 2002 report and will be updated in the Pre-Budget Report.

Stamp Duty

Howard Flight: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will estimate to how many purchases last year his proposed policy of abolishing stamp duty on commercial properties in rundown areas would have applied had it been in operation;
	(2)  how many commercial properties he estimates his proposed policy of abolishing stamp duty on commercial properties in rundown areas would apply to.

John Healey: The number of properties affected by the proposed policy depends on market conditions in the affected areas but is estimated to be in the order of 1,000 a year.

Stamp Duty

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provision he has made to encourage urban regeneration in the event that the European Commission rejects his proposed policy of abolishing stamp duty on commercial properties in rundown areas.

John Healey: We continue to work closely with the European Commission to progress our application for state aid approval for the extension of the existing relief from stamp duty in disadvantaged areas which is part of a wider package of measures designed to regenerate the most deprived areas of the UK.

Stamp Duty

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much tax revenue he estimates the Treasury saved last year through purchasers failing to apply for relief from stamp duty on purchases of properties worth less than #150,000;
	(2)  how many purchasers he estimates since the inception of the scheme could have applied for relief from stamp duty on purchases of houses worth less than #150,000 but failed to.

John Healey: I regret that this information is not available. The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone who is entitled to this relief receives what is due to them. Where the relief is not claimed but is subsequently discovered to have been due, the Inland Revenue will make a full repayment of any duty paid.

Information Technology

Martin Caton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the new contractor will be required to ensure that the service remains (a) unified, (b) accountable and (c) within the United Kingdom under the Inland Revenue's tendering process for IT services.

Dawn Primarolo: The service will be unified and will be let as a single contract covering all existing and future IT needs of the Inland Revenue. The scope of the contract was set out in an OJEC notice, dated 2 March 2002, which announced the start of the procurement process. The UK Government complies fully with its EU and WTO treaty obligations. It is the intention of the Inland Revenue, through the Invitation to Tender, to specify a unified service which is accountable and within the UK.

Customs and Excise

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many agency agreements HM Customs and Excise have in place with private companies whereby Customs are paid to police intellectual property rights on behalf of the companies in question.

John Healey: As of 31 October 2002, HM Customs and Excise have a total of 152 agency agreements in place with private companies.

Prostate Cancer Statistics

Paul Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many male deaths from prostate cancer there were in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 7 November 2002
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the number of male deaths from prostate cancer since 1997.
	The most recent available mortality data are for the calendar year 2001. Figures for each year from 1997 to 2001 are given in the table below.
	
		Number of deaths from prostate cancer(32), England and Wales, 1997 to 2001(33)
		
			 Calendar year Number of deaths 
		
		
			 1997 8,523 
			 1998 8,573 
			 1999 8,533 
			 2000 8,293 
			 2001 8,912 
		
	
	Notes:
	(32) The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 185 for the years 1997 to 2000, and for the year 2001, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code C61.
	(33) Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.
	(34) The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that data for prostate cancer in this year are not comparable with data for earlier years. The introduction of ICD-10 has led to an apparent increase of 4 per cent. in the number of deaths coded to prostate cancer. The figures should therefore be interpreted with caution.
	The effect of the change in classification in 2001 is described in a report published in May 2002

Student Top-up Fees

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much, in their current ratios, the small companies and mainstream rates of corporation tax would have to rise to yield the current revenues of student top-up fees.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 6 November 2002
	Universities do not charge top-up fees. The amounts that can be raised by changing the small companies and mainstream rates of corporation tax are contained in Table 1.6 on Inland Revenue's Website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/taxexpenditures/gt061.htm

Suicide Statistics

Paul Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides of young men aged 15 to 24 years there were in each year from 1979; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 7 November 2002
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the number of suicides in young men aged 15 to 24 in each year since 1979.
	The most recent available mortality data are for the calendar year 2001. Figures for each year from 1979 to 2001 are given in the table below.
	
		Number of deaths from suicide and undetermined whether purposely inflicted or not(35) occurring in men aged 15 to 24, England and Wales, 1979 to 2001(36)
		
			 Calendar year Number of deaths in men aged 1524 
		
		
			 1979 355 
			 1980 353 
			 1981 403 
			 1982 365 
			 1983 377 
			 1984 407 
			 1985 460 
			 1986 491 
			 1987 544 
			 1988 618 
			 1989 574 
			 1990 623 
			 1991 572 
			 1992 571 
			 1993 556 
			 1994 530 
			 1995 484 
			 1996 451 
			 1997 502 
			 1998 461 
			 1999 436 
			 2000 398 
			 2001 434 
		
	
	Notes:
	(35) The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E950E959 and E980-E989 excluding E988.8 for the years 1979 to 2000, and, for the year 2001, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60X84 and Y10Y34 excluding where the verdict was pending.
	(36) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year from 1979 to 1992 and for deaths occurring in each calendar year from 1993 to 2001.
	(37) The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that data for suicide and undetermined whether purposely inflicted or not in this year are not comparable with data for earlier years. The introduction of ICD-10 has led to an apparent increase of 1 per cent. in the number of deaths coded to undetermined whether purposely inflicted or not. The figures should therefore be interpreted with caution. The effect of the change in classification in 2001 is described in a report published in May 2002.
	iOffice for National Statistics. Results of the ICD-10 bridge coding study, England and Wales, 1999. Health Statistics Quarterly 14 (2002), 7583.

IT Skills

Ross Cranston: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations his Department has received from (a) right hon. and hon. Members, (b) trade associations and employers organisations and (c) training companies concerning the economic impact of higher level skills shortages in the information technology sector.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor of the Exchequer receives a large number of representations from trade and employers organisations, firms and members of the House of Commons in relation to a wide variety of different areas of Government policy.

IT Skills

Ross Cranston: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the financial assistance to, and tax treatment of, individuals in employment who choose to meet the costs of their own training in higher levels skills in the information technology sector.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government keep all taxes under review as part of the normal Budget process. The financial assistance available to adult learners is being reviewed in the context of the development of the Government's Skills Strategy, which will be published next year.

Energy Efficiency

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy further to promote energy efficiency in (a) new buildings and (b) existing buildings.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government have a range of policies for promoting energy efficiency of both existing and new buildings. Details of current and proposed fiscal policies are set out in the Budget 2002 report. In Budget 2002 the Government announced that it would consider ways in which economic instruments might be used to improve household energy efficiency. The Treasury and DEFRA published a joint consultation document, ''Economic Instruments To Improve Household Energy Efficiency'', in July 2002. The consultation period ended on 8 October 2002. The Government is currently considering the responses to that consultation.
	The Climate Change Levy introduced in April 2001 provides an incentive to all businesses and the public sector to improve their energy efficiency in all areas including their building stock.
	The Government's Climate Change Programme sets out our other measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors of the economy.

NIRS2

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the value was of duplicate National Insurance payments made into personal pension plans triggered by the NIRS2 computer system; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the value was of duplicate National Insurance payments that were recovered from personal pension plans that were triggered by the NIRS2 computer system.

Dawn Primarolo: The value of payments affected is #61.95m. The vast majority of this has been recovered from the pension schemes affected.

NIRS2

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many personal pension plans received duplicate National Insurance payments triggered by the NIRS2 computer system;
	(2)  how many personal pension plans were recovered from which duplicate National Insurance payments triggered by the NIRS2 computer system; and what action his Department took to inform (a) individuals and (b) the managers of personal pension plans that duplicate National Insurance payments triggered by the NIRS2 computer system would be recovered.

Dawn Primarolo: Up to 1255 pension schemes were affected and we have recovered any amount overpaid from the vast majority of these. We have worked very closely with the pension industry's representative bodies and with the individual pension schemes affected to keep them informed and to consider how they should best deal with their individual members.

Research and Development Tax Credit

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 October 2002, Official Report, column 429W, on small firms, what assessment he has made of the impact of the research and development tax credit for small firms.

Dawn Primarolo: Both the research and development (RD) tax credit for small or medium companies (SMEs) and the new RD tax credit for large companies, introduced this year, are measures for the long term. At present we only have figures for the first year of the SME credit. However, in that first year, the response from small companies was good and all the signs are that interest is growing.

Tobacco Imports

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he took from health experts before deciding to change the personal allowance for tobacco imports.

John Healey: Within the European Union there are no personal allowances for tobacco imports. Since the creation of the Single Market in 1993 travellers have been able to bring back as much EU duty paid tobacco and alcohol as they wish as long as it is for their own use. The recent changes to indicative levels simply act as a guide to assist shoppers and make it easier for Customs officers to distinguish between the honest shopper and the illegal smuggler.
	The new package of measures against tobacco smuggling, which I announced on 29 October, is designed to continue the successful crackdown on the illicit supply of cigarettes. It is this illegal supply of cheap, unregulated cigarettes which presents the principal threat to keeping the effective price of smoking high in support of the Government's health objectives.
	For details of these measures I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire on 29 October, Official Report, column 686w.

Office Rents

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much rent was paid by (a) Inland Revenue and (b) Customs for their offices in the last nine months of 2001; to which companies; and if he will give the equivalent information for (i) the first six months of 2002 and (ii) a forecast of the total for the next 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: The majority of the Departments' accommodation is now occupied as serviced accommodation under a number of PFI/PPP contracts. Under some of these contracts the Departments pay a unitary charge in return for serviced accommodation which includes the accommodation, related facilities management and maintenance. The unitary charge does not include any separately identifiable amount in respect of rent. The main such contract is the STEPS contract with Mapeley.
	The Departments have paid the following unitary charges to Mapeley Steps Contractor Ltd:
	
		
			  Inland Revenue HM Customs  Excise 
			  Last 9 months of 2001 First 6 months of 2002 Last 9 months of 2001 First 6 months of 2002 
		
		
			 Payment (plus VAT) #99,375,490 #67,512,708 #35,541,277 #24,000,123 
		
	
	It has not proved possible to obtain corresponding information for the other PFI/PPP contracts in the time available. I will write to the HM with this information and put a copy of my letter in the House Library.
	In addition both Departments occupy certain property outside the PFI/PPP contracts where rent is payable to a number of landlords. For example the Customs  Excise posts at ports and airports. The information on the rent payable on these properties could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Annuities

Paul Tyler: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Inland Revenue regulations, as they relate to annuities, preclude an annuitant to transfer from one provider to another; and what plans he has to change the regulations.

Ruth Kelly: The tax rules do not prohibit the transfer of liability to pay an annuity to a different provider so long as the terms of the annuity are not altered. It is a matter of contract between the parties whether this can occur at the request of the annuitant.
	As indicated in the reply given on 18 July 2002 to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Liddell-Granger), Official Report, column 467W, the Government plans to bring forward powers to make it possible to offer people buying annuities more choice and flexibility. Any reforms to annuities will need to dovetail with simplification and other reforms being considered in the pensions Green Paper this autumn.

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what public consultations have been commenced by his Department in each month since 20 July; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

John Healey: A full list of recent public consultations including start date, closing date and a link to the relevant document can be found by following the consultations link on the Treasury web site at: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.

Euro

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list Government statements and publications that demonstrate how adoption by the United Kingdom of the euro would alter its power to manage the economy.

Ruth Kelly: The Government have said that they will complete an assessment of the five economic tests within two years of the start of this Parliament. The assessment will be comprehensive and rigorous. Once the assessment is complete, it will be published and will be subject to intensive public scrutiny and debate.

Company Auditors

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on his plans to implement Commission Recommendation 2002/590/EC on Statutory Auditors' Independence.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply
	Recommendation 2002/590/EC was adopted by the European Commission on 16 May 2002.
	The UK requirements on the independence of statutory company auditors and in the Companies Act 1989 to supervise statutory company auditors and in auditing standards set by the Auditing Practices Board. These bodies are preparing the changes needed to ensure that their requirements are in line with the Recommendation. No changes are needed to auditing standards to bring our requirements into line with the Recommendation.
	The Recommendation also suggests the disclosure of fees paid by major companies to their auditors in respect of audit services and non-audit services, broken down into major categories. The UK already requires large companies to disclose in their accounts the fees paid to their auditors in respect of audit and non-audit services. We will consult on changes to the existing regulations to require a breakdown of the non-audit services provided by the auditors.

Parliamentary Questions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to him from honourable Members in this session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

John Healey: One Parliamentary question for answer in July, which was transferred to the Treasury in September, has not been answered.
	The information relating to letters from Members to Treasury Ministers is as follows:
	
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 (i) one month 54 
			 (ii) two months 37 
			 (ii) three months 19 
			 (iv) four months 7 
			 (v) over six months 0 
		
	
	The Cabinet Office publishes a report ot Parliament annually setting out the volume of Members' correspondence received by departments. The report for 2001 was published on 24 May 2002 Official Report, column 674W. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.

British Museum

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department received prior to the announcement of the revenue increase for the British Museum.

Paul Boateng: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Share Indices

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the impact of Treasury policy on the performance of (a) the FTSE 100 and (b) the all share index with particular reference to international competitiveness.

Ruth Kelly: The Chancellor of the Exchequer and other Treasury Ministers receive numerous representations concerning the impact of Treasury policy on FTSE 100 companies, the all share index and the competitiveness of UK industry and the City of London. These are taken into consideration in the development of Government policy in these important areas.

Private Finance Initiative

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the discount rate of 6 per cent. For HMG PFI projects was calculated.

Paul Boateng: I have been asked to reply. 
	I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Private Finance Initiative

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what funding has been authorised in each financial year since May 1997 for raising capital via the Private Finance Initiative, broken down by Department; and what limits on sums authorised were imposed under European Community law, identifying the relevant EU instruction in each case.

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of interest the Government pay in the PFI schemes.

Paul Boateng: I will write to the hon. Members and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Spinning (Investment Banks)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Financial Services Authority regarding the alleged practice of spinning by investment banks; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: This is a matter for the Financial Services Authority. I understand the FSA has begun an informal inquiry into spinning and has requested information on what processes UK regulated firms have in place to prevent spinning, while seeking views on a possible rule change which would explicitly outlaw certain types of conduct.

Tax Havens

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether account is taken in PFI and PPP contracts of whether bidders are based in tax havens; and what assessment is made in awarding such contracts of the competitive advantage given to such companies;
	(2)  if he will ban companies based in tax havens from participation in Government contracts.

Paul Boateng: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Court Accommodation (Northern Ireland)

Joan Humble: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether she is yet in a position to announce their proposals relating to court accommodation in Northern Ireland.

Rosie Winterton: After full consideration of all the information gathered during the public consultation exercise which followed the issue of the consultation document XCourt Accommodation in Northern Ireland 20012010, I have decided that the courthouses at Clogher and Cookstown will close at the end of this year and business will be transferred to the new courthouse at Dungannon. Business currently dealt with in rented accommodation in Kilkeel will transfer to Newry courthouse.
	The courthouses at Banbridge and Larne will remain as court venues as will Limavady courthouse. Hearings at Limavady courthouse will be restricted to magistrates courts adult criminal business. The future of Limavady courthouse will be reviewed in light of business trends and with particular regard to the outcome of the Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland and any changes this necessitates in court divisional boundaries.
	The Court Service will conduct a feasibility study in the North Down area on the possibility of replacing the existing courthouses at Bangor and Newtownards. Consideration will also be given to upgrading or replacing the courthouse at Lisburn.

Damages

Joan Humble: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary Lord Chancellor's Department how the Lord Chancellor intends to take forward proposals which she consulted on in her consultation paper, XDamages for Future Loss: Giving Courts the Power to Order Periodical Payments for Future Loss and Care Costs, published on 13 March.

Yvette Cooper: The Lord Chancellor has today published the post-consultation report to the consultation paper XDamages for Future Loss. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. A majority of respondents agreed with the Government's proposal that courts should have the power to award damages for future loss and care costs in the form of periodical payments. The Government intend to legislate when a suitable opportunity arises.

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary Lord Chancellor's Department what public consultations have been commenced by her Department in each month since 20 July; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Yvette Cooper: It is not possible to answer the question before prorogation and I will write with the answer and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Better Public Buildings Initiative

Debra Shipley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary Lord Chancellor's Department if she will name the projects the departmental design champion has sponsored as part of the Better Public Buildings Initiative; and if she will make a statement on the extent of her personal input in respect of each.

Yvette Cooper: It is not possible to answer the question before prorogation and I will write with the answer and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what strategies her Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is committed to equality of opportunity, a key feature of all civil service employment: ageism is not tolerated. Retirement age is determined on business needs only (currently 60, 62 or 65 depending on grade).
	Recruitment, development, performance management and retention policies are reviewed continuously.

Child Abduction

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases of prevention of access to children of British Nationals living in Germany have been reported to the Child Abduction Unit in the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: Any parent resident in England and Wales may apply to the Child Abduction Unit (CAU) for access (contact) to their child living in a contracting state. The CAU does not keep statistics on whether cases involve British Nationals. The table shows combined figures for applications to Germany from England and Wales in the last five years for access (under Article 21 of the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction); and applications seeking registration of existing contact orders (under the 1980 Luxembourg (Council of Europe) Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions concerning Custody of Children and on the Restoration of the Custody of Children).
	
		Access (contact) cases from applicants within England and Wales pursued in Germany
		
			   Case Outcomes  
			 Year Total cases Ordered Refused Withdrawn Pending 
		
		
			 1997 10 4 3 3 0 
			 1998 6 4 1 1 0 
			 1999 7 3 1 3 0 
			 2000 4 2 0 2 0 
			 2001 3 1 0 0 2

Lay Justices

Hywel Francis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the national strategy on the recruitment of lay justices to achieve benches that reflect the community they serve will be published.

Yvette Cooper: As of 1 April 2002 there were 28,479 active magistrates in England and Wales. A great deal of work has been carried out over the last few years to improve the balance of the lay bench. The latest available figures show 50.91 per cent. male and 49.09 per cent. female magistrates, 8.29 per cent. of whom are from ethnic minority groups. In the next few months, my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor, will publish a national recruitment strategy, the core aims of which are to develop a structured campaign to raise the profile of the magistracy and encourage applicants from as wide a cross-section of the community as possible.

Local Management Boards

Hywel Francis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what role is envisaged for magistrates in the proposed local management boards; which agencies will sit on such boards; and who will ensure that objectives are (a) set and (b) met.

Yvette Cooper: It is the Government's stated intention to bring together the administration of all courts in England and Wales, below the House of Lords, into a new executive agency. We intend to set up local boards to enable representatives of users and the wider community to be involved in the decision making process about the administration of courts in their area. The precise membership of the boards is yet to be determined, although we envisage that the magistracy will be represented. The setting of the objectives for the new organisation as a whole and the assessment of performance will be a matter for the Lord Chancellor. The local boards will be involved in ensuring that the objectives are met.

Magistrates Courts

Martin Caton: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary Lord Chancellor's Department when will the next annual report of the chief inspector, Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate, be published.

Yvette Cooper: I have today placed copies of the chief inspector's annual report in the Library of both Houses.
	For the first time the annual report includes the inspectorate's new responsibility for the inspection of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS). In March 2002 the inspectorate published a progress report on its work with CAFCASS (XSetting Up) which highlighted some of the difficulties the new body had faced during its first year in existence. In his latest report, the chief inspector points to encouraging signs of progress, such as the publication of CAFCASS's first corporate plan and their work on developing draft national standards.
	Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs) are seen to have contributed significantly to achieving the Government's target to reduce delay in the processing of persistent young offenders. The chief inspector reports that MCCs have also handled well the transfer of warrant execution from the police to the courts. This was a major piece of work and for understandable reasons there was some slippage in performance. Some criticisms remain of MCCs ability to ensure systems are in place to manage performance at a strategic level.

Rape Cases

Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 
	(1)  which of the (a) High Court and (b) Crown Court judges who hear rape trials are criminal law specialists; and of those who are not, by what means they have been selected as experienced to try rape cases;
	(2)  pursuant to the Answer of 24 July, Official Report, column 1282W, on rape trials, what efforts are made by the Lord Chancellor to ensure that only those judges with appropriate experience and sensitivity at (a) High Court and (b) Crown Court level hear rape cases; how the experience and sensitivity of judges at each level are ascertained; what record is retained of how judges are selected according to these criteria; and how often the record is updated with regard to their trial performance.

Yvette Cooper: It is not possible to answer the question before prorogation and I will write with the answer and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Rape Cases

Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 
	(1)  what training for trying cases of rape and sexual assault is given to High Court Judges (a) on appointment and (b) at a later date; and whether, in each case, this training is compulsory;
	(2)  what training High Court Judges undergo on appointment; and whether this training is compulsory.

Yvette Cooper: It is not possible to answer the question before prorogation. I will write with the answer and a copy of the letter will be placed in the library.

Contact Orders

Debra Shipley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, the Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to her Answer of 11 July (Official Report, column 1200W) on contact orders, what amendments are proposed to court rules to ensure consistency in the treatment of applications for contact where there are allegations of violence.

Rosie Winterton: We have set up a Safety Working Group (including, amongst others, representatives from children's and women's organisations) to assist in consideration of what practical measures, including possible amendments to court rules and forms, are required to ensure consistency in how courts deal with applications for contact where there are allegations of domestic violence. We hope to have proposals from the Working Group in mid-December.

Columbus House, Newport

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the Home Office leased building at Columbus House on the Langstone Business Park in Newport, South Wales; and if it will be used for residential purposes.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply. 
	The Home Office has not leased the building Columbus House, Langstone Business Park, Newport. It has been leased by the Court Service for use by the Immigration Appellate Authority as an immigration hearing centre.
	The centre has no residential facilities and appellants will attend, on a daily basis, only in connection with oral appeal hearings.
	[ TWFY note: On the same day, the same question was asked and David Blunkett replied with I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library. ]

Recruitment (Over-50s)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of new recruits to her Department in the past two years were aged 50 and over.

Rosie Winterton: 23.7 per cent. of staff recruited in the two year period between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2002 were over the age of 50.
	Broken down into the two separate years the percentages are:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 14.8 
			 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 29.3

HOME DEPARTMENT

Prison Overcrowding

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce overcrowding of prisons.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prison Overcrowding

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of prison overcrowding on the treatment of remand prisoners.

Hilary Benn: As of 30 September 2002, the total prison population was 72,315. Of these 7,963 were on remand, and a further 5,227 were remanded awaiting sentence.
	It is obvious that such a high level of prison population will affect both convicted and unconvicted prisoners alike. The Prison Service closely monitors the effects of overcrowding and the conditions in which all prisoners are held are of equal concern.

Asylum Seekers (Private Contractors)

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the private contractors providing accommodation and support for asylum seekers that have been dropped since 1997 because of dissatisfaction with their performance.

Beverley Hughes: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) became operational on 3 April 2000. Since that date NASS has not terminated any contracts with private sector contractors providing accommodation or support for asylum seekers.

Information Technology

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of how the additional funds dedicated to information technology to promote closer working and streamline case management across the criminal justice system departments will (a) increase efficiency and (b) improve the system of measuring outcomes.

Michael Wills: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Animal Experimentation

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding has been allocated each year since 1997 to develop alternative tests to replace animal experimentation; to which Departments it has been allocated; and what plans there are to increase future funding.

Bob Ainsworth: The United Kingdom Government, across various Government Departments, spends in the region of #2 million each year and at an international level, we will continue to support the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) through contributions to the European Union. However, most work on the search for and development of alternatives to using animals in scientific procedures is neither done by Government nor with Government moneyit is conducted and funded by the research industry itself, which spends many millions of pounds on it each year.
	Every year the Home Office makes available to the Animal Procedures Committee a budget for research aimed at developing or promoting the use of alternatives which replace animal use, reduce the number of animals used, or refine the procedures involved to minimise suffering (the 'Three Rs'). Details of annual budgets and completed research projects are published in the annual report of the Animal Procedures Committee, which is available from the Stationery Office. The amount made available to the Committee each year since 1997 was:
	
		
			  # 
		
		
			 199798 182,000 
			 199899 259,000 
			 19992000 259,000 
			 200001 265,500 
			 200102 280,000 
			 200203 280,000 
		
	
	The use of alternatives is widely encouraged, and the use of animals in regulated procedures is prohibited by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in cases where a scientifically valid non-animal alternative is available. Any lack of progress in research into alternatives is more often due to the limitations of science rather than inadequate funding. However, this will be considered further in the context of the recommendation of the House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures that a Centre for the 3Rs should be set up. The Government are considering their response to the Select Committee's report.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 16 October, Official Report, column 872W, on NHS staff, which countries will be included in the Criminal Records Bureau's advisory service to employers about the availability of criminal records checks; and which countries perform a reciprocal service.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he expects the Criminal Records Bureau to have completed its backlog of checks on (a) teachers and (b) classroom assistants in England and Wales;
	(2)  how many outstanding Criminal Records Bureau checks there are on (a) teachers and (b) classroom assistants in England and Wales.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it is taking on average for checks on care workers to be completed by the Criminal Records Bureau at the latest available date.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many care home staff who would have required Criminal Record Bureau checks for existing staff before 1 April have had checks postponed until (a) 31 March 2003 and (b) 2004.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research was undertaken by (a) his Department and (b) Capita to determine the (i) likely level of demand for Criminal Records Bureau checks and (ii) Criminal Records Bureau customers' preferred means of submitting applications for checks.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will publish guidance to registered bodies about the postponement of Criminal Records Bureau checks as set out in the announcement made on 1 November.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for criminal record checks have been made using the Criminal Records Bureau's telephone checking service; and what proportion this constitutes of the total number of record check applications.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) teaching and (b) non-teaching staff have been subject to Criminal Records Bureau vetting; and (i) how many and (ii) what percentage of each category failed.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many (a) appeals and (b) overturned Criminal Records Bureau checks for each local authority for (i) social workers and (ii) voluntary organisations who work with children there were in each of the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many applications (a) were processed by and (b) were outstanding with the Criminal Records Bureau for each local authority for (i) social workers and (ii) voluntary organisations who work with children for each of the last 12 months.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the final report by Patrick Carter into the Criminal Records Bureau.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) value of contract and (b) evaluation mechanism for successful delivery of contract are in the running of the CRB by Capita; and whether penalty charges are in place.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many outstanding Criminal Records Bureau checks there were on childminder applicants in England and Wales on 23 September.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) nurses supplied by nurses agencies and (b) staff supplied by domiciliary care agencies will no longer have to have Criminal Record Bureau checks.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what compensation his Department will offer to (a) staff, (b) private care homes, (c) voluntary organisations and (d) local authorities for the delays in Criminal Record Bureau checks; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 16 October, Official Report, column 868W, on Criminal Records Bureau checks, how many checks on (a) social workers, (b) other social care staff and (c) voluntary health organisations working with children have been outstanding for (i) one month, (ii) two months, (iii) three months and (iv) longer than six months.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) teaching and (b) non-teaching staff who had received Criminal Records Bureau clearance prior to the start of the school term were subsequently checked and found to be unfit for work with children.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copyof my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those subjected to checks by the Criminal Records Bureau as a result of their employment in schools have contested the factual basis of information disclosed about them as a result of such checks; what steps need to be taken by a person who contests such information; and what action he proposes to take in respect of cases where the information disclosed about individuals is found to be incorrect.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it has taken on average for checks on care workers to be completed by the Criminal Records Bureau in the last six months.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will estimate how many persons caring for (a) children and (b) vulnerable adults will now not have Criminal Records Bureau checks;
	(2)  what the (a) planned time and (b) actual time taken was for each stage in commissioning the Criminal Records Bureau;
	(3)  how many existing staff requiring Criminal Records Bureau checks will have the check postponed from March 2003 to 2004;
	(4)  how many Criminal Records Bureau checks have been delayed for (a) teachers and (b) classroom assistants in each of the last six months by (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, and (iv) six months or more.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it took on average over the last period for which figures are available to carry out Criminal Records Bureau checks on taxi drivers.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prison-building Programme

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's proposed spending plans on new prison building in 200304.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prison-building Programme

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he will take to ensure that the contractors in the expanded prison building programme comply with Government requirements regarding the use of timber from legal and sustainable sources; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Racial Equality (Sikhs)

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will have in place means to monitor Sikhs separately with respect to (a) employment and (b) the provision of public services.

Beverley Hughes: We have no plans to do this,

Racial Equality (Sikhs)

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the statutory Code of Practice on the Duty to Promote Race Equality so that it requires public authorities to monitor Sikhs separately.

Beverley Hughes: Some Sikh organisations have argued that Sikhs should be monitored as a separate ethnic group rather than subsumed in one of the generic monitoring categories used in the 2001 census. The fact that case law has established Sikhs as an ethnic group for the purposes of the Race Relations Act does not, of itself, justify different treatment from the many other ethnic and racial groups in the United Kingdom. Therefore, we do not intend to amend the statutory Code of Practice.
	The statutory Code of Practice is not prescriptive about the form of ethnic monitoring. Rather it encourages authorities to use the same ethnic classification system as used in the 2001 census, or categories that match them very closely. However the statutory Code also recognises that authorities may choose to collect more detailed information to reflect local circumstances. Public authorities with significant Sikh populations in their area may opt to do this. Helpfully, demographic information about British Sikhs will be available for the first time from the results of the religious identity question in the 2001 census due to be published next February.

Racial Equality (Sikhs)

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many public authorities are monitoring Sikhs as a separate ethnic group following the issue of the statutory Code of Practice on the Duty to Promote Race Equality.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sentencing

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on consistency of approach to sentencing;
	(2)  when he will implement the provisions in the Crime Sentences Act 1997 regarding (a) the imposition of curfew orders, (b) community punishment orders and (c) driving disqualifications for fine defaulters.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sentencing Powers

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which magistrates' powers will be increased to allow their sentencing powers to be raised (a) to 12 months and (b) subsequently to 18 months as indicated in the White Paper, Justice for All.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Terrorism

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what research he has taken into the threat to departmental computer systems from e-terrorist attack;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the threat to e-government from e-terrorist attack.
	(3)  what assessments she has made of the threat to UK business from e-terrorist attack.

David Blunkett: The threat from terrorists to the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), in Government and the private sector, is growing but unpredictable. While there is always the possibility of a low level attack (eg, website defacements or narrowly targeted denial of service attacks) we think the current likelihood of a successful major damaging attack against United Kingdom interests is low. However, we keep the situation under constant review, a task which lies with the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC) (see www.niscc.gov.uk). Although focused on CNI institutions, other systems administrators may like to look at the advice and information available through the NISCC website, and also at the linked Unified Incident Reporting and Alert Scheme, www.uniras.gov.uk which contains information on best practice, new vulnerabilities and mitigating actions. www.dti.gov.uk also contains useful information on information security.

Terrorism

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what request for assistance he has received from the FBI concerning the links of a UK Moslem cleric with James Ujaama, currently under arrest and indicted in Portland, Oregon concerning an alleged terrorist training camp.

David Blunkett: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Ageism

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategies his Department has to ensure that there is no ageism in recruitment and retention processes.

Hilary Benn: The Home Office has made a commitment to provide staff of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to maximise their skills and achieve their potential. This is incorporated into our employment policy on discrimination and is set out in equal opportunities statement which was revised and updated in March 2002.
	The Department continues to monitor recruitment, selection and appraisal statistics to ensure that neither age discrimination nor any other form of discrimination is taking place.
	Following a comprehensive review of the Department's age retirement policy, all Home Office staff below the Senior Civil Service now have the option to retire at any point between the ages of 60 and 65.
	This move was reflected in the Department's recruitment policy. The Home Office will consider job applications from people up to age 64, subject to their meeting normal standards of health. Provided that there is an expectation of a reasonable period of employment and a return on the investment in recruitment and training, the primary criterion for selection will be the ability of the candidate to carry out the duties of the vacant post. In making these various changes, the Home Office is implementing the recommendations of the Performance and Innovation Unit report XWinning the Generation Game.
	Separate arrangements apply to Her Majesty's Prison Service who have conducted their own review to tackle age discrimination.

Air Support (Surrey Police)

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will grant the application by Surrey police authority for funding to assist with the purchase of a new EC135 helicopter for use in policing in the county.

John Denham: Surrey police authority has submitted an application for funding to assist in the purchase of a new police role-equipped helicopter. This application has been made under the guidelines for the allocation of Home Office capital funding for police air support (200304).
	A number of police forces have submitted applications for funding in 200304 for air support purposes and a decision on the allocation of the available funding will be announced in the new year.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been made in each local authority area in England since May 1997; how many of these orders have been broken by the offender; and what average prison term has resulted from such breaches of ASBOs.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders and acceptable behaviour contracts have been issued, broken down by police authority area in England and Wales.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued in (a) Hampshire and (b) Portsmouth South in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued since their introduction, broken down by local authority area; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Area-based Initiatives

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list for each area-based initiative for which his Department is responsible the amount originally budgeted for in (a) 200001 and (b) 200102, stating in each year what funds budgeted for were not spent and if they were carried forward.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Arrests (Portsmouth, South)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been arrested in the Portsmouth, South constituency in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: Information on the number of arrests for notifiable offences is collected centrally at police force area level only. Available information shows that in 19992000 there were 42,598 arrests for notifiable offences within the Hampshire police force area and in 200001 (latest available) 39,420. Information for earlier years is not available on a consistent basis. Figures for 200102 will be available in due course.

Asylum Appeals

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many applicants under the expedited appeals process (a) between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002 and (b) since 1 April 2002 received (i) legal advice and assistance in preparing their asylum appeal and (ii) legal representation at the appeal hearing;
	(2)  how many asylum appeals (a) between 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 and (b) since 1 April 2002 have been (i) lodged and (ii) heard under the expedited appeals process; how many of these appeals have been refused; and in relation to these refusals, how many applications for judicial review have been lodged.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 6 November 2002
	The expedited appeal process commenced in August 2002.
	Appeals are expedited where the appellant's claim has been processed at Oakington, they remain detained after leaving Oakington, and the appeal has been certified as falling within paragraph 9(4)(a) or (b) or paragraph 9(5)(a) or (b) of schedule 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (appeals which are manifestly unfounded).
	Appeals in the expedited process have no first hearing and are listed for a full hearing no earlier than six and no later than eight working days from receipt of the appeal by the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA).
	Advice and assistance for preparing an asylum appeal is available to all asylum applicants at Oakington. The Immigration Advisory Service and Refugee Legal Centre both have on-site representatives and will act for any asylum applicants held at Oakington. Subject to means and merits tests, applicants will be entitled to receive legal representation funded by the Legal Services Commission at their appeal hearing.
	Asylum statistics are published quarterly. The latest published figures give information up to and including June 2002. Data relating to the period beyond June 2002 are not yet available. The next publication giving figures up to and including September will be available from 29 November 2002 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum Reception Policies

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the results of his research to examine asylum reception policies and practice of Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Asylum Seekers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent research he has commissioned on the factors which are attracting asylum seekers and illegal immigrants to Britain.

Beverley Hughes: Research examining the decision making of asylum seekers and the reasons why they seek asylum in the UK in preference to other countries has already been conducted. This was based on interviews with a small sample of asylum seekers and refugees. Because the sample size was relatively small, the conclusion that can be drawn from the research must be interpreted with caution. The report of the findings was published by the Home Office in July 2002 ('Understanding the Decision Making of Asylum Seekers' by Vaughan Robinson and Jeremy Segrott Home Office Research Study number 243 / Home Office Findings number 172).
	My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has commissioned research to survey a small sample of people in detention centres who have been illegally resident in the UK (some of whom may not have entered illegally but have become illegal since entering the UK). My right hon. Friend is considering commissioning a study of a small sample of overstayers. Again, the relatively small sample size means that any results would need to be interpreted with caution. Both research studies take the form of in-depth interviews with these people, and the findings are expected to include some information about the factors that attracted them to the UK.

Asylum Seekers

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on asylum towards those seeking refuge from slavery in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 5 November 2002
	Applications for asylum in the United Kingdom are considered individually on their merits in accordance with the UK's obligations under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. Unless the Dublin Convention applies or the applicant may reasonably be expected on other grounds to seek asylum in a third country, asylum is granted where the applicant fulfils the criteria of the 1951 UN Convention.
	Slavery can constitute persecution. Where the application is based upon slavery we will assess whether that slavery relates to one of the Convention grounds, whether the state authorities are willing or able to offer effective protection against it, and whether the applicant could reasonably be expected to move to another part of the country where he or she would be safe.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to employ independent consultants to assess the effectiveness of asylum accommodation centres that are opened as part of the initial trial of such centres.

Beverley Hughes: The evaluation will be led by the Immigration, Research and Statistics Servicepart of the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate. It will include a combination of management information, consultation with relevant people and more formal research carried out by independent researchers under contract to the Home Office. The results of the accommodation centres evaluation will be publicly available and made available to Parliament.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to invite contractors to tender for the construction and operation of the trial asylum accommodation centres.

Beverley Hughes: Tender documents for each for the trial accommodation centre sites will not be issued until planning consent has been obtained.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had about the provision of (a) a floating asylum accommodation centre with possible suppliers of such facilities and (b) core and cluster asylum accommodation centres with the Refugee Council; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I met the Refugee Council on 21 October to discuss their proposals. That dialogue will continue. We have not ruled out the possibility of using floating accommodation centres for asylum seekers.

Asylum Seekers

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers there are in Blackburn; and how many are resident in (a) private accommodation and (b) publicly provided accommodation.

Beverley Hughes: The information is not available in the form requested. We currently only have statistics on the location of asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).
	As at the end of June 2002 there were 880 1 asylum seekers (including dependants) who were being supported in NASS accommodation in Blackburn. The number of asylum seekers who have been placed by NASS into private or publically owned accommodation is not available.
	1 Figure rounded to the nearest five and excludes cases where support has been ceased.

Asylum Seekers

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide new accommodation for asylum seekers in Newport, South Wales.

Beverley Hughes: Newport is a designated cluster area. As at 30 June 2002 there were 20* asylum seekers including dependants supported in the National Asylum Support Service accommodation in Newport. Within Wales as a whole a further 175* asylum seekers, including dependants, are in receipt of subsistence only support.
	* figures rounded to nearest five.

Bail

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to deal with the bailing of prolific offenders especially where there is a history of non-compliance; if he will offer guidance to magistrates in these matters; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The decision on whether to grant bail or remand a defendant in custody is, of course, one for the courts to make, in each case, in line with the statutory framework primarily set out in the Bail Act 1976.
	To help the courts to tackle the problems of persistent offending on bail by juveniles, I announced on 16 April 2002 the extension of the existing powers to enable courts to place on secure remand any 12 to 16-year-old where they are of the opinion that the child or young person has a recent history of repeatedly committing imprisonable offences on bail or in local authority accommodation and that it is necessary to remand him into secure accommodation in order to protect the public from serious harm or to prevent him committing more imprisonable offences. This came into force nationally on 16 September 2002 after implementation on 22 April 2002 in the 10 street crime areas.
	In addition to this, the national implementation of electronic tagging for 12 to 16-year-olds on bail and local authority remand was introduced from 1 June 2002. Tagging will strengthen the powers of the courts by increasing their options for dealing with young people who commit repeated imprisonable offences (such as theft and criminal damage) while on bail.
	We also intend to include provision, as soon as parliamentary time allows, to weight the court's discretion against granting bail to a defendant who has been charged with an imprisonable offence committed while on bail for another offence. Once this has been introduced we will provide the courts with guidance on the new provision in the usual way.

Brixton Police

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report, column 56W, on Brixton Police, for what reasons staff were absent during the periods in question.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Burglar Alarms

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many false burglar alarm call outs there were in each police force in England and Wales, and what the percentage increase or decrease was in each of the last five years.

John Denham: The requested information is not available centrally.

Burglary

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the clear-up rate by police force was for burglaries in (a) urban, (b) rural and (c) suburban areas in each year since 1979;
	(2)  what the average clear-up rate by police force was in each year since 1979.

John Denham: holding answer 4 November 2002
	Recorded crime and detection statistics are not recorded by whether the crimes are committed in urban, rural or suburban areas. The requested figures for clear-up (detections) rate by police force area for each year since 1979 are given in the table, which has been placed in the Library.
	There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which increased the total number of crimes counted in each police force area, and therefore may have affected the detection rate. Detection rates after this date are therefore not directly comparable with previous years.
	There was also a change in the counting rules for detections on 1 April 1999, the new instructions providing more precise and rigorous criteria for securing a detection, with the underlying emphasis on the successful result of a police investigation. For example, detections obtained by the interview of a convicted prisoner were no longer included. Numbers of detections before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.
	The adoption of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) in April 2002, aimed to move the crime counts for the 43 forces of England and Wales onto a more consistent national basis, and to take a more victim-centred approach to crime recording. A small number of forces adopted the principles of the standard prior to April 2002. As a result both recorded crime and detection rates will have been affected for 200102. Had this effect not occurred, it has been estimated that the overall detection rate in England and Wales in 200102 would have been 24 per cent., the same as the previous year.

Burglary

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries with entry per 10,000 households in (a) 200001, (b) 200102 and (c) 200203 took place in (i) urban and (ii) rural areas of England and Wales; and if he will break them down by region.

John Denham: holding answer 5 November 2002
	Recorded crime statistics are not recorded by whether the crimes are committed in urban, rural or suburban areas. However, the British Crime Survey (BCS), indicates the percentage of households victims of burglary with entry (once or more) by area type for interviews conducted in the 200102 financial year. The BCS estimates that 1.2 per cent. of households in rural areas were victims of burglary with entry (once or more) compared to 2.1 per cent. of those in urban areas.
	The latest British Crime Survey produced for the first time, for BCS interviews conducted in 200102 estimates of burglary with entry per 10,000 households, and attempted burglary per 10,000 households, by region. Figures were not recorded on this basis before this, and the figures for 200203 are not yet available. Regional figures are only given for the BCS due to the variability of specific offence figures at police force level. The figures for 200102 BCS interviews are given in the table.
	
		Burglaries recorded by the BCS, by region 200102(1) -- Rates
		
			  BCS Figures(2)  
			 Region Burglary with entry per 10,000 households Attempted burglary per 10,000 households 
		
		
			 North East Region 454 167 
			 North West Region 310 280 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber Region 364 221 
			 East Midlands Region 198 198 
			 West Midlands Region 188 279 
			 East of England Region 188 111 
			 London Region(3) 308 204 
			 South East Region 149 143 
			 South West Region 239 156 
			 Wales 159 76 
			 England and Wales 252 190 
			 England and Wales(4) 243 188 
		
	
	(1) Household data have been revised since publication on 12 July 2002.
	(2) Regional figures only are given for the BCS due to the variability of specific offence figures at police force area level.
	(3) The BCS does not identify City of London and Metropolitan areas within the London Region.
	(4) Excluding London Region.

Care Home Staff

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated waiting times were in each of the last six months for (a) new care home staff, (b) registered care home providers, (c) managers of care homes, (d) foster carers and (e) adoptive parents who apply for a Criminal Records Bureau check.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Category D Prisoners

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Category D prisoners have been transferred from an open to a closed prison for breaching prison regulations in each year since 1997.

Hilary Benn: The information requested is not routinely collected.

Commission for Racial Equality

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with (a) Ms Beverley Bernard and (b)Mr. Trevor Phillips about the chairmanship of the CRE.

David Blunkett: The Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is a public appointment governed by the Nolan rules. Ministerial involvement in the process is limited to making the final appointment from a shortlist of candidates drawn up independently by an advisory panel which includes an independent assessor.

Police Service (Civilian Staff)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the policy of the Government is in relation to the police service employing civilian staff with (a) spent and (b) unspent convictions.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Community Court Orders

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community court orders were not allocated to probation officers in England and Wales in the last 12 months.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Community Orders

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been imprisoned following breach proceedings in respect of criminal community orders (a) during 200102 and (b) during the first quarter of the current financial year.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Computers

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many computers were replaced in his Department, including those used by regional staff outside the central departmental offices in each of the past three years; how the replaced units were disposed of and by which companies; and at what cost.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Constabulary (Sussex)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many police officers have left Sussex constabulary in the last 12 months because of (a) retirement, (b) early retirement, (c) injury and (d) other employment;
	(2)  how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued in West Sussex in the last six months.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Cookham Ward Secure Training Centre

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the private finance initiative contract for Cookham Ward (Medway) Secure Training Centre by comparison with a non-private finance initiative alternative.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Corporate Killing

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the introduction of an offence of corporate killing.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Corporate Manslaughter

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce an offence of corporate manslaughter; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Government are committed to extending criminal liability for involuntary manslaughter to corporations, and will legislate when parliamentary time allows.

Correspondence

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Torbay of 18 June concerning Mr. Elias Massif Bousaleh.

Beverley Hughes: I wrote to the hon. Member on 7 November. I apologise for the delay in replying.

Correspondence

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will send a full response regarding a constituent, Miss Barker; and if he will make a statement on his handling of the correspondence.

John Denham: I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

CRB and Capita

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report from Patrick Carter on the strategy and operations of CRB and Capita.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Crime Reduction (Portsmouth, South)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (a) those schemes which have received funding under the targeted policing initiative, (b) the amount received and (c) the targets set to reduce crime under the schemes in Portsmouth South; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: We did not receive any bids for funding for targeted policing projects in the Portsmouth South area.

Crime Reduction Strategy

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the participation by the London borough of Islington and the police in a crime reduction strategy.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Crimestoppers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the number of crimes which have been solved as a direct result of Crimestoppers in the last 12 months.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Convictions

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many convictions there were of those prosecuted in magistrates courts in England and Wales, broken down by local authority area since 1997.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Justice

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminals have been brought to justice in each of the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 28 October 2002
	Information on offences brought to justice in England and Wales is only available on a consistent basis for the years 199899, 19992000 and 200001 and is shown in the table.
	
		Notifiable offences and those brought to justice in England and Wales, 199899, 19992000 and 200001
		
			  199899 19992000 200001 
		
		
			 Notifiable offences 5,109,116 5,301,171 5,170,196 
			 Offences convicted 755,705 756,629 706,277 
			 Offences cautioned 260,264 249,486 228,814 
			 Offences taken into consideration 105,323 97,640 88,657 
			 Total offences brought to justice 1,121,292 1,103,755 1,023,748

Criminal Justice White Paper

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will propose that any bill arising from the Criminal Justice White Paper is subject to pre-legislative scrutiny on-line.

Hilary Benn: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 30 October 2002, Official Report, column 844W.

Criminal Justice White Paper

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish the responses to his Department on the consultation on the Criminal Justice White Paper, and place them in the Library.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

CS Spray

Rachel Squire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the follow-up studies into the long-term effects on persons sprayed with CS spray have been commissioned; what the specification for these will be; and if the studies will look at susceptible groups including those being treated with neuroleptic drugs.

John Denham: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The follow-up studies into the longer-term effects on persons sprayed with CS spray commenced in February 2002.
	The specification for the study is to evaluate the longer-term medical effects of CS spray, if any, and to produce a report detailing the findings. The study will include susceptible groups and those being treated with neuroleptic medication.

Television Licences (Non-payment)

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people received a custodial sentence in 2001 for non-payment of the BBC licence fee.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Daniel Bishop

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what form the investigation into the case of Daniel Bishop, who was released in error from Cardiff prison in March, is taking; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Day Prison Release

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which types of criminal he proposes should be eligible for day release from prison; what sort of work inmates will carry out if they are on day prison release; and what measures will be put in place to ensure that prisoners on day release do not abscond.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) capital and (b) revenue underspend in his Department is expected to be in the financial year.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Departmental Expenditure (Televisions)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) analogue and (b) integrated digital television sets his Department has purchased in each of the last 24 months; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The number of (a) analogue and (b) integrated digital television sets bought by the Home Department in each of the last 24 months are as follows.
	
		
			 Month Digital Analogue 
		
		
			 January 2000 0 0 
			 February 2000 0 0 
			 March 2000 0 0 
			 April 2000 2 4 
			 May 2000 0 0 
			 June 2000 0 0 
			 July 2000 4 1 
			 August 2000 1 2 
			 September 2000 0 1 
			 October 2000 0 0 
			 November 2000 0 1 
			 December 2000 1 (5) 12,477 
			 January 2001 1 2 
			 February 2001 0 0 
			 March 2001 0 7 
			 April 2001 0 3 
			 May 2001 0 2 
			 June 2001 0 3 
			 July 2001 0 0 
			 August 2001 1 0 
			 September 2001 1 0 
			 October 2001 0 0 
			 November 2001 0 0 
			 December 2001 0 (5) 12,471 
			  
			 Total 11 24,974 
		
	
	(5) Prison Service end of year totals. Month by month split could not be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.
	The high number of television sets purchased by the Prison Service in the years 2000 and 2001 is a result of a programme of providing prison establishments with in cell television sets.
	No guidance as been issued relating to the purchasing of television sets.

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) positions above grade 7 level in his Department for jobs located in (i) London and (i) the South East between 1 April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment for each Civil Service grade.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 28 October 2002
	The information requested is not available for all parts of the Department. The tables provide a snapshot of vacancies and staffing at 1 April 2001 and 1 April 2002 for the Home Office and the Prison Service.
	
		Table A: Position as at 1 April 2001 for the Home Office(6)
		
			  London region South East region  
			 Responsibility level Vacancies(7) Total staff(8) Vacancies Total staff(8) 
		
		
			 Grades 6 and above 23 273  9 
			 Grade 7 25 442  19 
			 Senior Executive Officer 30 621  41 
			 Higher Executive Officer 74 1,509  158 
			 Executive Officer 47 3,140  848 
			 Administrative Officer 55 2,285  308 
			 Administrative Assistant 32 1,318  73 
			 Other (not included above) 6
			  
			 Total non-industrial staff 292 9,588  1,456 
		
	
	
		Table B: Position as at 1 April 2002 for the Home Office(6)
		
			  London region South East region  
			 Responsibility level Vacancies(7) Total staff(8) Vacancies Total staff(8) 
		
		
			 Grades 6 and above 18 261  4 
			 Grade 7 22 439  19 
			 Senior Executive Officer 26 648  44 
			 Higher Executive Officer 27 1,562  172 
			 Executive Officer 57 3,002  793 
			 Administrative Officer 72 2,113  304 
			 Administrative Assistant 17 1,321  89 
			 Other (not included above) 2
			  
			 Total non-industrial staff 241 9,346  1,425 
		
	
	(6) Includes IND and the Forensic Science Service unless otherwise indicated.
	(7) Vacancies shown are only for the central London-based staff, excluding the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and the Forensic Science Service.
	(8) Figures include administrative and equivalent grades.
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate cannot provide information on vacancies at 1 April 2001 for 1 April 2002 without incurring disproportionate cost. The Forensic Science Service does not collect information on vacancies filled by internal candidates.
	The 241 vacancies shown at 1 April 2002 have been filled through a variety of external recruitment, Job Specific Selection, managed postings, Selection Boards and trawls to other Government Departments.
	
		Table C: Position as at 1 April 2001 for the Prison Service(9)
		
			  London region and HQ South East region  
			 Responsibility level(10) Vacancies(11) Total staff(12) Vacancies Total staff 
		
		
			 Grades 6 and above 6 100 11 37 
			 Grade 7 1 209 5 48 
			 Senior Executive Officer 5 235 7 113 
			 Higher Executive Officer 30 463 10 171 
			 Executive Officer 129 747 20 591 
			 Administrative Officer 106 1,107 12 1,079 
			 Administrative Assistant 433 3,589 36 4,041 
			 Other (not included above) 
			  
			 Total non-industrial staff 708 6,450 77 6,080 
		
	
	
		Table D: Position as at 1 April 2002 for the Prison Service(9)
		
			  London region and HQ South East region  
			 Responsibility level(10) Vacancies(11) Total staff(12) Vacancies Total staff 
		
		
			 Grades 6 and above 6 105 18 38 
			 Grade 7 16 203 39 53 
			 Senior Executive Officer 42 471 10 274 
			 Higher Executive Officer 7 237 3 54 
			 Executive Officer 98 768 59 617 
			 Administrative Officer 73 1,040 60 1,185 
			 Administrative Assistant 358 3,066 265 4,259 
			 Other (not included above) 
			  
			 Total non-industrial staff 575 5,890 433 6,480 
		
	
	(9) Excludes staff in area offices and other split site staff.
	(10) Prison Officer and Governor grades are included in equivalent administrative grade at appropriate responsibility level; nurses allocated to Executive Officer level because the forecast planned post data do not distinguish their grade level.
	(11) Vacancies calculated as total of forecast planned posts minus full-time equivalent staff in post as at 31 March 2001.
	(12) Excludes those staff on reduced pay and maternity leave.
	Two national recruitment campaigns were run in April and September 2002 for the Prison Officer grade, specifically for the female estate and the emergency build programme. Due to their success, recruits have been provided and continue to be provided to London establishments, and all officer vacancies in the Kent, Surrey and Sussex area will be filled. In addition, a series of local adverts throughout the London and south-east area are planned, with HMYOI/Remand Centre Feltham currently recruiting.

Departmental Recruitment

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent in recruiting staff to his Department in (a) London and (b) the south-east in each year since 1997.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 4 November 2002
	The table provides information on the total costs of recruitment schemes run by the Home Office Central Personnel Management Unit, based in Central London, and the Croydon based Human Resources Directorate of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.
	These costs relate to recruitment schemes run to fill posts in a number of areas around the UK. Separate records of the costs attributable to filling posts in any particular area are not maintained.
	
		# 
		
			  CPMU HRD Total CPMU + HRD 
		
		
			 199798 578,017.96 (13) 578,017.96 
			 199899 289,402.09 233,600.00 523,002.09 
			 19992000 915,012.00 1,743,000.00 2,658,012.00 
			 200001 1,512,510.37 3,147,000.00 4,659,510.37 
			 200102 1,094,289.17 2,544,000.00 3,638,289.17 
			  
			 Total 4,389,231.59 7,667,600.00 12,056,831.59 
		
	
	(13) No costings available (all schemes run in-house)

Detection Rates

Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of reported crime the North Wales police detected in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

John Denham: holding answer 5 November 2002
	Details for crime are published for financial years, most recently in XCrime in England and Wales 200102, of which table 8.01 contains the data on the amount of recorded crime which is detected. A copy is available in the Library.
	The figures available for North Wales are for financial years and are as follows:
	(a) 19992000: 36 per cent.
	(b) 200001: 31 per cent.
	(c) 200102: 28 per cent.

Detection Rates

Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a league table of police forces in England and Wales by detection rates.

John Denham: holding answer 5 November 2002
	Details for the financial years 199798 to 200102, were published in table 8.01 of XCriminal Statistics England and Wales 2000, and are given in the table. A copy of the publication is available in the Library.
	As different police forces have different crime mixes, comparing overall detection rates between forces is of limited value. This is because different types of crime tend to have different detection rates, and so a police force with which has a higher proportion of types of crime with high detection rates will tend to have a higher overall detection rate. Also, police forces may give priority to tackling particular types of crime, with the detection rate of those crimes having some effect on the force's overall detection rate.
	The detection rates for 200102 may have been affected in comparison to those of the previous year as a result of some police forces implementing the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard in advance of its national implementation on 1 April 2002.
	There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which increased the total number of crimes counted in each police force area, and therefore may have affected the detection rate. Detection rates after this date are therefore not directly comparable with previous years.
	There was a change in the counting rules for detections on 1 April 1999, the new instructions providing more precise and rigorous criteria for securing a detection, with the underlying emphasis on the successful result of a police investigation. For example, detections obtained by the interview of a convicted prisoner were no longer included. Numbers of detections before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.
	
		Recorded crime: annual detection rates by police force area and region 199798 to 200102 -- Percentages
		
			 Police force 199798(14) 199899(15) 19992000(16) 200001 200102 
		
		
			 Cleveland 23 23 22 21 20 
			 Durham 30 33 32 34 33 
			 Northumbria 26 30 31 31 31 
			 North East Region 26 29 29 29 29 
			 Cheshire 34 37 31 30 26 
			 Cumbria 41 44 39 34 32 
			 Greater Manchester 20 25 23 22 21 
			 Lancashire 29 34 29 27 26 
			 Merseyside 31 31 26 28 24 
			 North West Region 26 29 26 25 23 
			 Humberside 21 22 19 21 20 
			 North Yorkshire 26 33 31 30 26 
			 South Yorkshire 32 32 25 25 23 
			 West Yorkshire 27 27 25 23 19 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber Region 27 28 24 24 21 
			 Derbyshire 26 31 28 26 25 
			 Leicestershire 34 34 30 28 28 
			 Lincolnshire 46 40 28 25 27 
			 Northamptonshire 35 33 33 33 31 
			 Nottinghamshire 26 25 21 20 18 
			 East Midlands Region 31 31 27 25 24 
			 Staffordshire 34 32 22 23 24 
			 Warwickshire 29 26 22 22 25 
			 West Mercia 27 34 29 27 29 
			 West Midlands 25 30 27 28 29 
			 West Midlands Region 28 31 26 27 28 
			 Bedfordshire 35 33 25 27 25 
			 Cambridgeshire 28 29 25 24 22 
			 Essex(17) 28 29 30 26 26 
			 Hertfordshire(17) 33 34 27 24 24 
			 Norfolk 36 37 30 26 25 
			 Suffolk 39 41 36 35 33 
			 East of England Region 32 33 29 26 26 
			 London, City of 28 33 32 27 34 
			 Metropolitan police(17) 25 22 16 15 14 
			 London Region 25 22 16 15 14 
			 Hampshire 30 35 32 29 29 
			 Kent 31 34 33 28 28 
			 Surrey(17) 35 40 32 28 25 
			 Sussex 26 25 25 23 25 
			 Thames Valley 25 25 20 22 24 
			 South East Region 28 30 27 25 26 
			 Avon and Somerset 26 24 22 22 14 
			 Devon and Cornwall 34 36 35 34 32 
			 Dorset 30 31 26 25 27 
			 Gloucestershire 26 31 30 31 30 
			 Wiltshire 32 38 33 30 30 
			 South West Region 29 31 28 27 23 
			 Dyfed Powys 62 69 65 63 64 
			 Gwent 51 55 53 57 55 
			 North Wales 36 43 36 31 28 
			 South Wales 36 39 31 32 33 
			 Wales 41 46 40 41 39 
			   
			 England and Wales 28 29 25 24 23 
			   
			 England and Wales(18) 29 31 28 27 26 
		
	
	(14) Excluding offences of Xother criminal damage of value #20 and under prior to March 1998.
	(15) Percentage detected using the expanded coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.
	(16) Revised detections guidance was implemented on 1 April 1999.
	(17) Forces affected by boundary changes in April 2000.
	(18) Excluding London Region.
	Note:
	Numbers of recorded crimes and detections will be affected by changes in reporting and recording. For further information see chapter 3 in XCrime in England and Wales 200102.

Disability Discrimination (Prisons)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to start applying the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to prisons and prisoners.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 20 October 2002
	The Prison Service has already issued policy guidance for the management of disabled prisoners and staff to all establishments. This reflects the requirements of each stage of the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA).
	Prisoners are required to review and change, if necessary, their procedures and practices and to make reasonable adjustments to their services and facilities to ensure that they are accessible to disabled people. Prisons have also published local policy documents outlining what people with disabilities are able to expect at that establishment.
	The Prison Service is developing a comprehensive disability strategy which will ensure disability issues are reflected in its practices and policies. This will raise awareness and commitment, and enable the Prison Service to implement the final stage of the DDA in 2004.

Domestic Violence and Rape

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has collated of variations between different police force areas in England and Wales in (a) recorded instances of rape, (b) recorded instances of domestic violence, (c) the clean up rate of recorded instances of rape and (d) the clean up rate of recorded instances of domestic violence.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Drug Arrests

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been arrested for possession of (a) cannabis, (b) ecstasy and (c) heroin in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Information collected centrally on arrests for notifiable offences does not separately identify individual offences. However, data provided in the table shows persons found guilty, cautioned, given a fiscal fine, or dealt with by compounding for possession of cannabis, ecstasy-type and heroin from 19962000. The figures cover the UK.
	The data are taken from the annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin, which is available on the RDS website (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb402.pdf), and copies are available in the Library. These figures are due to be updated in the spring of 2003.
	
		Table 1. Number of persons found guilty, cautioned, given a fiscal fine, or dealt with by compounding for unlawful possession of cannabis, ecstasy-type, heroin in the UK, 1996 to 2000(19)
		
			  Cannabis Ecstasy-type Heroin 
		
		
			 1996 65,095 2,983 4,958 
			 1997 79,085 3,149 7,231 
			 1998 91,148 2,430 9,681 
			 1999 82,129 3,456 10,326 
			 2000 70,306 5,194 9,608 
		
	
	(19) No court appearance data available for Northern Ireland 1998 to 2000.
	Note:
	Breakdown by drug type for Northern Ireland not available for 1996 to 2000.
	Source:
	Home Office Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom, 2000(Supplementary Tables.

Drug Treatment

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total annual cost per drug treatment place, broken down by treatment type, is in 200203.

Bob Ainsworth: Information in the format requested is not available. Data is held on the cost per week and the average cost per individual is as follows:
	Residential treatment costs between #250 and #1000 per week, depending on the services provided. These range from a hostel place supported by out-patient treatment, to in-patient treatment including medical services.
	In 200201 there were 118,500 individuals reported as in contact with treatment agencies, at a cost of #310 million. This provides an average cost of #2,616 per individual.

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people have been imprisoned for breaches of drug treatment and testing orders;
	(2)  how many drug treatment and testing orders have been made by the courts; and how many have been breached.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been given to judges and magistrates on the enforcement of drug treatment and testing orders in relation to prison overcrowding.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Drug Treatment Places

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug treatment places were available in each year since 1997, broken down by treatment type.

Bob Ainsworth: Information in the format requested is not available.
	Data is currently held on the estimated number of people in all treatment types as follows:
	199899 102,133
	19992000 110,013
	200001 118,500
	From 200102 more robust data will be held on the numbers in treatment. These figures are not yet available.
	The National Treatment Association (NTA) was set up in 2001 to substantially increase treatment provision.

Drugs (Government Targets)

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his most recent assessment is of the progress made in achieving Government targets on drugs use and harm announced in 1998.

Bob Ainsworth: Information on progress against current Government targets concerning the misuse of drugs can be found in the Home Office Annual Report 20012002, a copy of which is in the Library. The section related to drugs, Aim 5, is on pages 170 and 171.
	The Government has recently undertaken a review of the drugs strategy, progress against targets, their balance and focus. We will be publishing an updated strategy later this year.

Drugs Education Programmes

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) Operation CHARLIE and (b) other anti-drugs education programmes in reducing drug use in those who took part in them in each of the past five years.

Bob Ainsworth: The results of three major drug education programmes, developed by the Home Office, have been published during the past five years.
	In 1997, the Home Office published an evaluation of Project CHARLIE (Chemical Abuse Resolution Lies in Education). This project involved 44 children in primary schools in Hackney between 1991 and 1993. Four years after the programme both tobacco and illegal drug use were significantly lower among Project CHARLIE children than among pupils who had not been involved in the project.
	In 2001, final results of the NE Choices programme were published. This prevention programme, based in the north-east of England, was targeted at young people aged between 13 and 16. There was no evidence of an impact of the programme on the overall prevalence of drug use. However, a small proportion (2 per cent.) of pupils changed their drug taking behaviour from consumption of Class A drugs to the use of cannabis, solvents or nitrites or to non-use.
	Similar findings are found in the 2002 results of the evaluation of the Integrated Programme (IP). The IP is based on North American evidence that school programmes that are reinforced by parent involvement and community engagement have an impact on reducing drug taking. The IP was designed and delivered to adolescents in Northern England during 1998 to 1999. The IP was a demonstration project that was too small to generate significant reductions in prevalence. However, the results suggest that young people who received the IP were more likely to reduce harder drug use and maintain a lower-risk drug-taking repertoire than those who had not participated in the programme.
	Since these three projects were commissioned, an overview of international research has been completed. This identified two prevention programmes with the greatest impact on behaviour which had been developed in the United States. On the basis of this evidence, the Government have established a research programme called XBlueprint. This will determine whether elements of US Xwhat works programmes: (1) can be implemented within the UK settings; (2) have potential to be effective in reducing drug use, and (3) have added value for schools, parents and young people.

Electronic Tagging

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted persons were subject to electronic tags as at (a) 30 September 2001 and (b) 30 September 2002.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 28 October 2002
	The number of convicted persons who were subject to electronic tags was 3,219 on 30 September 2001 and 5,130 on 30 September 2002.

Electronic Tagging

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given to (a) judges and (b) magistrates on the imposition of sentences involving electronic tagging; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been done into the provision of a second emergency telephone number to work in conjunction with 999.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

EU Citizenship

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the award of EU citizenship to individuals from third countries residing inside the European Union.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of England

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to grant dispensation to the member churches of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England to register under the Charities Act 1993 as individual charities making individual returns and submitting individual accounts.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Feltham Young Offenders Institution

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people are detained at Feltham Young Offenders Institute; and if he will provide a breakdown of this figure by ethnic origin.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Female Prison Population

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what he attributes the recent rise in the female prison population.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Rural Policing

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what impact he estimates the focus on the fight against urban crime will have on policing rural areas.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Fine Default

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) men and (b) women were jailed in England and Wales for fine default in each year since 1990.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Fireworks

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of damage to property were caused by fireworks in (a) the last 12 months and (b) each of the preceding five years.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Focus Group Research

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use he and his Department has made of focus group research since June 2001; if he will identify for each research project the topics covered, the person or organisation carrying out the research, and the total cost; and if he will publish the research on his Department's website.

Hilary Benn: The Home Office research department undertakes a wide range of research activities that support the development of information-led policy, including scientific and social research, and includes research gathered from market research and focus groups.
	The department conducts or commissions focus groups only when it is justified by the specific needs of a particular policy or programme and when this is the most economical, efficient and effective way to achieve the purpose. Consulting and involving the public helps inform both policy formulation and the delivery of better quality public services. It has not been possible to provide detailed breakdown of costs of projects where this information is either not held centrally or is commercial in confidence.
	The Research, Development and Statistics Directorate (RDS) conducts social research supporting all seven Home Office aims. A list of RDS publications is available on the Home Office website and copies are also placed in the Library.

Football (Banning Orders)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK citizens were given banning orders prior to England's international football match in Slovakia; and of these how many did not have a criminal conviction.

John Denham: All of the 1,301 individuals subject to a football banning order prior to the Slovakia v England match have at least one criminal conviction. In accordance with police powers set out in section 21 of the Football Spectators Act 1989, an additional 13 individuals were intercepted en-route to Slovakia, prevented from travelling and made subject to banning order proceedings. All of the individuals concerned have convictions for violence or public order offences.

Football Matches (Policing)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the average cost to public funds was for policing at (a) Premiership, (b) Nationwide league and (c) non-league football ground on a match day in England in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the cost to public funds of policing at Premiership football grounds in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: The information requested is not held centrally. A working group comprising representatives of Government, police and football authorities has been set up to examine a range of strategic football-related public order issues, including the cost of, and charging arrangements for, policing football matches.

Handcuff Cleaning

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what protocols are in place for cleaning handcuffs used on different prisoners (a) in prisons and (b) by police forces.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Identity Parades

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a general guidance to chief constables that citizens who help the police and the prosecuting authorities by attending identity parades as witnesses should be entitled, without a supervising discretion, to their reasonable expenses and loss of earnings for so doing.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Illegal Immigrants (Use of Services)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policies are on the use by illegal immigrants of (a) the UK's benefits systems, (b) the NHS and (c) the education system.

Beverley Hughes: The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 ensures that only those people who have the right to settle in the United Kingdom should have access to social security benefits. The Act excludes from, 3 April 2000, all persons subject to immigration control from income related and other non-contributory benefits. Instead asylum seekers are supported while the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) determines their case.
	There remains, however, a stock of existing asylum seekers whose cases date from before 3 April 2000. They and a few other excepted groups still receive social security benefits.
	Persons with no status to remain in the United Kingdom who are not seeking asylum are entitled neither to social security benefits nor NASS support.
	A person who has made a formal application for permission to take refuge in the United Kingdom, or who has been granted refuge, is fully entitled to National Health Service (NHS) treatment without charge.
	People who are not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom are subject to the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended. These regulations make people who are not specifically exempt liable for the cost of most types of hospital treatment other than that given in Accident and Emergency departments or some types of treatment which are necessary to safeguard wider public health.
	All children in this country, regardless of their immigration status, are entitled to receive education.

Immigration

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he has issued to CIOs at the ports on their dealings with hon. Members.

Beverley Hughes: The instructions given to all Immigration staff mirror those contained in the booklet entitled XInformation for Members of Parliament about immigration and nationality enquiries.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when his Department intends to reply to the letter of 1 August from Mrs. S. Jakobi of Stoke Mandeville acknowledged by his Department's Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Liverpool on 29 August.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 31 October 2002
	I am sorry that my officials at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) in Croydon cannot trace Mrs. Jacobi's letter. If a further letter with sufficient details such as full name, date of birth and nationality can be sent to the Briefing and Complaints Section 5th Floor, Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon CR9 2BY, IND will ensure that a response is sent as a matter of priority.

Immigration Offences (Northern Ireland)

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were detained by the PSNI and RUC on immigration offences during each of the last three years.

Beverley Hughes: The Immigration Service does not routinely collect the information requested. A check of information which is held by Immigration Service would be time consuming and disproportionately expensive and would not in any event, represent the full total of police arrests since a proportion of these may have originated, and have been recorded, as matters not related to immigration offences.

Incitement Law

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the guidance he plans to issue to police on enforcing the proposed incitement law covering religious and racial hatred.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Job Advertisements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the job advertisements placed by his Department in the last 12 months specifying where the advertisements were placed and the cost in each case.

Hilary Benn: Tables, which have been placed in the Library, show the total advertisements run by the Home Office Central Personnel Management Unit and units with devolved or partially devolved responsibility for recruitment. The tables show details of recruitment schemes run from 1 October 2001 to 30 September 2002.
	Details of specific media used for advertisements are not available. The Central Personnel Management Unit normally advertises junior posts in local jobcentres and local or regional press. More senior posts are advertised in Xquality dailies (e.g. Guardian, Times, Sunday Times and Observer) and, where appropriate, specialist journals. The Home Office has a standing policy to advertise vacancies in the Ethnic Minority Press.

Lay Observers

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, 
	(1)  if he will publish his responses to Lay Observers' Panels reports, and subsequent recommendations;
	(2)  when he received the last Greater London Lay Observers' Panel report; and what actions he plans to take in response to its recommendations.

David Blunkett: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Auld Review

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of recommendation 321 of Lord Auld's Review of the Criminal Court in respect of access by the prosecution to appeal hearings

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Market Research

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue guidance to local authorities on controlling market research canvassing in town centres.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Meetings

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent meetings Ministers and officials in his Department have held with the United States Administration Head of Homeland Security.

David Blunkett: I met Governor Ridge and his staff yesterday and will have further meetings with them today for a discussion of the current terrorist threat and the measures we are both taking in response. To assist Governor Ridge, I have prepared a briefing paper on the UK dimension, a copy of which is available in the Library and on the website www.homeoffice.gov.uk/new.htm.

Mental Health

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when mental health charity MACA can expect an answer to its letters of 22 August 2001, 16 October 2001, 19 December 2001 and 30 January 2002 about police handling of serious incidents involving people with mental health problems.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend.

Metropolitan Police (Training)

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recruits have entered training for the Metropolitan Police in each month since 1 July 1999.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Metropolitan Police Service

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers working shifts at (a) Kennington Police Station and (b) other police stations inside the congestion charging zone will be affected by the introduction of congestion charging; and what arrangement the Metropolitan Police Service has made to compensate officers for their extra costs.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Ministerial Transport Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the cost of (a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for his Department in each of the last four years.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Mobile Phone Theft

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government is doing to combat mobile phone theft.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Money Laundering (Egmont Group)

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports have been made (a) to the UK and (b) from the UK to other countries under the Egmont Group arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Moving Traffic Offences

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what statutory powers a non-uniformed police constable may report a driver for a moving traffic offence.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

North Sea Camp Prison

Richard Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many category D prisoners from HMP North Sea Camp have been found to have been in breach of their community visit licences for violations of the no alcohol rule and have not been transferred to category A, B or C prisons in the past 12 months.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 29 October 2002
	In the 12 months to 22 October 2002 prisoners at North Sea Camp breached the no alcohol rule on 42 occasions. None of the 42 cases resulted in transfer to closed conditions for breach of this rule alone, although in some cases a breach will have contributed to a return to closed conditions.

North Sea Camp Prison

Richard Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many category D prisoners from HMP North Sea Camp have been issued in the past 12 months with community day visit licences restricting them to (a) a specific geographical area and (b) a general mileage radius.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 29 October 2002
	Community day visit licenses have been issued on 1,298 occasions since 22 October 2001. In all cases there were restrictions on geographical location and mileage radius.

North Sea Camp Prison

Richard Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the rules and of the standard licence governing the community visit licences of category D prisoners in (a) HMP North Sea Camp and (b) other category D prisons.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 29 October 2002
	Instructions about the release of any prisoner on an earned community visit are given in Chapter 3 of Prison Service Order 4000 (Incentives and Earned Privileges, Earned Community Visits and Compacts). Appendix 1 to the chapter contains a template of a standard licence. Copies of all Prison Service Orders are in the Library.

North Sea Camp Prison

Richard Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many category D prisoners from HMP North Sea Camp have been transferred to category A, B and C category prisons as punishment for breaches of their community visit licences in the past 12 months.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 29 October 2002
	Seventeen prisoners have been transferred from North Sea Camp to higher category prisons in the 12 months prior to 22 October 2002 for breaches of community visit licences.

Notifiable Offences

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the number of (a) notifiable offences, (b) convictions and (c) convictions as a percentage of notifiable offences for each year from 199091 to 200102, (i) in total for England and (ii) broken down by police authority; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 28 October 2002
	Convictions for notifiable offences are only available on a consistent basis for all areas for 199899, 19992000 and 200001. The available information is contained in the table.
	
		Notifiable offences and offences convicted, by police force area, 199899
		
			  Total number in year  
			 Police force area Notifiable offences Offences convicted Offences convicted as a percentage of recorded crime 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 150,089 16,766 11.2  
			 Bedfordshire 49,076 6,292 12.8  
			 Cambridgeshire 67,256 8,660 12.9  
			 Cheshire 65,119 14,792 22.7  
			 Cleveland 67,030 10,650 15.9  
			 Cumbria 40,202 9,257 23.0  
			 Derbyshire 84,459 12,090 14.3  
			 Devon and Cornwall 110,644 16,568 15.0  
			 Dorset 52,755 7,699 14.6  
			 Durham 50,413 9,797 19.4  
			 Essex 95,797 15,029 15.7  
			 Gloucester 48,206 6,496 13.5  
			 Greater Manchester 362,450 53,016 14.6  
			 Hampshire 128,253 28,121 21.9  
			 Hertfordshire 49,309 8,489 17.2  
			 Humberside 130,691 15,456 11.8  
			 Kent 129,340 18,701 14.5  
			 Lancashire 118,117 27,843 23.6  
			 Leicestershire 93,397 13,260 14.2  
			 Lincolnshire 46,670 7,944 17.0  
			 Merseyside 140,874 25,367 18.0  
			 Metropolitan Police (inc City of London) 941,398 97,011 10.3  
			 Norfolk 57,129 10,305 18.0  
			 North Yorkshire 55,309 10,450 18.9  
			 Northamptonshire 65,466 9,062 13.8  
			 Northumbria 151,298 27,762 18.3  
			 Nottinghamshire 135,255 17,859 13.2  
			 South Yorkshire 133,059 20,581 15.5  
			 Staffordshire 91,919 15,378 16.7  
			 Suffolk 39,908 7,919 19.8  
			 Surrey 42,467 6,310 14.9  
			 Sussex 130,402 12,904 9.9  
			 Thames Valley 176,477 19,307 10.9  
			 Warwickshire 38,485 5,196 13.5  
			 West Mercia 81,777 13,909 17.0  
			 West Midlands 314,628 44,398 14.1  
			 West Yorkshire 273,809 41,586 15.2  
			 Wiltshire 38,189 7,973 20.9  
			 England 4,847,122 700,203 14.4  
		
	
	
		Notifiable offences and offences convicted, England 1990 to 200102
		
			 Period Notifiable offences(20) Offences convicted(21) Offences convicted as a percentage of recorded crime 
		
		
			 1990 4,314,363   
			 1991 5,005,135   
			 1992 5,304,459   
			 1993 5,247,237   
			 1994 4,991,748   
			 1995 4,852,894   
			 1996 4,790,306   
			 1997 4,361,391   
			 199899 4,847,122 700,203 14.4 
			 19992000 5,045,684 701,692 13.9 
			 200001 4,931,747 658,526 13.4 
			 200102 5,285,317   
		
	
	(20) There were revisions to counting rules for notifiable offences in the period in question, in April 1998, and the new National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) is thought to have had an effect on 200102 figures of recorded crime.
	(21) Only available on a consistent basis for three financial years.
	Sources:
	Criminal Statistics, England and Wales
	Crime in England and Wales, 200102
	Home Office Court Proceedings Database
	
		Notifiable offences and offences convicted, by police force area, 200001
		
			  Total number in year  
			 Police force area Notifiable offences Offences convicted Offences convicted as a percentage of recorded crime 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 149,254 17,186 11.5  
			 Bedfordshire 49,627 6,182 12.5  
			 Cambridgeshire 64,343 7,564 11.8  
			 Cheshire 63,288 13,592 21.5  
			 Cleveland 64,357 11,150 17.3  
			 Cumbria 32,869 7,432 22.6  
			 Derbyshire 81,668 11,860 14.5  
			 Devon and Cornwall 102,853 14,879 14.5  
			 Dorset 50,320 6,853 13.6  
			 Durham 44,702 9,917 22.2  
			 Essex 106,768 13,536 12.7  
			 Gloucester 49,871 6,854 13.7  
			 Greater Manchester 363,454 54,403 15.0  
			 Hampshire 133,553 23,495 17.6  
			 Hertfordshire 64,215 8,282 12.9  
			 Humberside 110,312 13,750 12.5  
			 Kent 128,382 17,043 13.3  
			 Lancashire 117,633 22,599 19.2  
			 Leicestershire 86,422 13,155 15.2  
			 Lincolnshire 44,884 8,447 18.8  
			 Merseyside 142,807 25,250 17.7  
			 Metropolitan Police (inc City of London) 1,002,488 83,186 8.3  
			 Norfolk 57,259 9,318 16.3  
			 North Yorkshire 51,551 9,310 18.1  
			 Northamptonshire 56,731 6,658 11.7  
			 Northumbria 134,777 25,520 18.9  
			 Nottinghamshire 139,903 18,719 13.4  
			 South Yorkshire 125,179 21,270 17.0  
			 Staffordshire 104,705 16,223 15.5  
			 Suffolk 44,317 7,655 17.3  
			 Surrey 63,321 6,690 10.6  
			 Sussex 136,920 11,696 8.5  
			 Thames Valley 187,989 20,360 10.8  
			 Warwickshire 36,963 4,261 11.5  
			 West Mercia 78,354 13,097 16.7  
			 West Midlands 364,245 48,156 13.2  
			 West Yorkshire 258,908 35,651 13.8  
			 Wiltshire 36,555 7,327 20.0  
			 England and Wales 4,931,747 658,526 13.4

Offenders (Safety)

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the safety of and conditions for offenders kept in court cells and transported in prison vans in London is being monitored while inspections by the Greater London Lay Observers Panel are suspended.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Open Prisons

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the regime in open prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Open prisons hold large numbers of short-term prisoners who have been carefully assessed and identified as low risk.
	In addition to their role with short-term prisoners, open prisons contribute towards the resettlement of prisoners coming towards the end of medium and long-term sentences, including life sentence prisoners. This aspect of their work involved the selection and oversight of prisoners engaged in unpaid community work and, for those within 12 months of their parole eligibility date, in full-time paid employment. These opportunities are only available to prisoners who have passed a stringent risk assessment process, and whose progress and behaviour are subject to constant review.
	The arrangements for the resettlement role of open prisons are contained in the National Framework of Requirements for Resettlement Regimes which was issued in November 2001. The Prison Service will shortly review the way in which the National Framework has operated during its first 12 months.

Parliamentary Questions and Letters

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) parliamentary questions and (b) letters to him from hon. Members in this session remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Passport Agency Contracts

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for Passport Agency contracts by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative.

Beverley Hughes: The original business case for replacing the obsolete passport production system (PIMIS) and improve the efficiency, effectiveness and security of the passport document compared a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) solution with non-PFI which resulted in the PFI solution being #32 million cheaper to public funds over the proposed 10 years of any system:
	
		
			  # million 
		
		
			 Upgrade to digital in-house system 371 
			 PFI solution 339 
		
	
	Since the business case was completed in July 1997 there have been many changes to the Agency, with major initiatives including modernisation, anti-fraud and customer service improvements. The flexibility within the PFI contract has allowed the Agency to drive forward on these initiatives in the most economical fashion calling on our private sector partners' expertise and achieving improvements through a controlled and negotiated contract change control process.
	Now that the PFI solution is fully in place at all seven passport offices an efficiency strategy for the remaining years of the contract is being formulated with efficiencies expected to be realised for financial year 200203 onwards.

Police (Civilian Employment)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many civilians per thousand population are employed by each police force;
	(2)  how many civilians are employed by each police force.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police (Overtime)

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average overtime rates were per officer for each police force in the UK in the last year for which figures are available; and what the latest figures are for the cost of overtime in each police force.

John Denham: The Office of Manpower Economics (OME) undertakes an annual sample survey of police officers' pay, including overtime pay for constables and sergeants, on behalf of the Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom.
	The latest figures available from the survey show average weekly overtime payments made to constables and sergeants in the different regions, in respect of the pay periodtwo weeks, four weeks or a calendar monthwhich included 6 November 2001. These are calculated from grossed up figures by dividing the total overtime payments received by the officers in the rank by the total number of officers in that rank.
	The results of the sample survey are set out in the first set of tables.
	The Home Department has collected figures for the cost of overtime in 200102 for each police force in England and Wales. The figures are set out in the final table.
	
		OME survey: November 2001 -- Uniformed constables# week
		
			  Overtime pay  
			 Region Rest day with less than 8 days notice Rest day with between 8 and 14 days notice Other overtime 
		
		
			 London 39.63 4.70 45.36 
			 Ulster 16.73 9.43 95.51 
			 Scotland 10.18 2.13 26.62 
			 Metropolitan authorities 6.55 10.33 17.70 
			 Shire counties 8.52 5.43 18.90 
			 Wales 2.07 1.67 16.71 
		
	
	
		Uniformed Sergeants# week 
		
			  Overtime pay  
			 Region Rest day with less than 8 days notice Rest day with between 8 and 14 days notice Other overtime 
		
		
			 London 40.19 6.24 40.37 
			 Ulster 17.04 11.38 91.40 
			 Scotland 9.35 3.38 28.76 
			 Metropolitan authorities 9.84 13.83 18.90 
			 Shire counties 14.47 10.20 21.98 
			 Wales 2.59 0.00 18.11 
		
	
	
		Detective constables# week 
		
			  Overtime pay  
			 Region Rest day with less than 8 days notice Rest day with between 8 and 14 days notice Other overtime 
		
		
			 London 15.38 2.92 82.31 
			 Ulster 54.40 2.57 142.72 
			 Scotland 26.24 0.89 79.90 
			 Metropolitan authorities 13.83 4.59 49.91 
			 Shire counties 14.24 2.77 54.27 
			 Wales 4.22 0.43 65.90 
		
	
	
		Detective sergeants# week 
		
			  Overtime pay  
			 Region Rest day with less than 8 days notice Rest day with between 8 and 14 days notice Other overtime 
		
		
			 London 18.38 6.95 88.85 
			 Ulster 54.98 10.56 166.22 
			 Scotland 16.83 0.49 75.13 
			 Metropolitan authorities 59.58 8.58 64.05 
			 Shire counties 20.00 3.39 62.76 
			 Wales 8.99 0.00 64.63 
		
	
	
		Cost of overtime in each police force in England and Wales in 200102
		
			 Police force # 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 4,714,390 
			 Bedfordshire 4,008,599 
			 Cambridgeshire 4,055,694 
			 Cheshire 3,344,000 
			 City of London 2,374,926 
			 Cleveland 3,620,343 
			 Cumbria 2,094,538 
			 Derbyshire 3,414,300 
			 Devon and Cornwall 7,913,000 
			 Dorset 2,322,306 
			 Durham 3,177,000 
			 Dyfed Powys 1,650,497 
			 Essex 8,310,695 
			 Gloucestershire 2,343,186 
			 Greater Manchester 15,609,544 
			 Gwent 2,138,923 
			 Hampshire 8,556,000 
			 Hertfordshire 7,239,000 
			 Humberside 5,673,104 
			 Kent 8,350,000 
			 Lancashire 6,773,248 
			 Leicestershire 3,323,212 
			 Lincolnshire 2,446,521 
			 Merseyside 10,801,000 
			 Metropolitan 97,031,835 
			 Norfolk 3,349,363 
			 North Wales 2,635,500 
			 North Yorks 3,541,849 
			 Northamptonshire 2,475,000 
			 Northumbria 5,877,079 
			 Nottinghamshire 4,167,751 
			 South Wales 5,550,387 
			 South Yorkshire 6,446,000 
			 Staffordshire 5,928,705 
			 Suffolk 1,715,805 
			 Surrey 5,109,411 
			 Sussex 7,424,486 
			 Thames Valley 12,025,000 
			 Warwickshire 1,816,720 
			 West Mercia 4,343,857 
			 West Midlands 15,870,406 
			 West Yorkshire 11,836,000 
			 Wiltshire 1,814,642

Police (Pay)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in the Police Negotiating Board towards reform of police pay and allowances; what the timetable is for agreement; and what proposals under consideration would require primary legislation.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police Checks (Vehicles)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate his Department has made of the percentage of police checks on vehicles that have failed due to vehicles not being registered with DVLC.

John Denham: holding answer 6 November 2002
	The police carry out checks on vehicles for a number of purposes. Information on such checks and their results is not held centrally. Vehicle registration and the accuracy of the vehicle registration record are matters for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Police Computers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to promote the introduction of palm top personal computers in police forces.

John Denham: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 243W, on the action I am taking to increase the time police officers can spend on the streets rather than dealing with paperwork. The introduction of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) for police officers has the potential to make a major contribution to that aim.
	The Police Bureaucracy Taskforce identified a clear and pressing requirement for officers to be able to remotely update force systems via a hand-held device. A number of forces are now taking this forward and are piloting the use of hand-held devices. However we need to ensure that any hand-held device is useable in an operational environment and that the technical and information management infrastructure is also in place to provide and send data. That is why we are taking a pilot approach.
	Our aim is to identify and spread good practice and provide practical advice and guidance to forces on the implementation and use of mobile data services. We are also providing forces with the new Airwave radio communication system, which when fully implemented will deliver mobile data facilities.

Police Custody

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the maximum distance between the place of arrest and a custody suite persons in police custody should be transported.

John Denham: There is no central policy on the maximum distance persons should be transported between arrest and a custody facility. Such transfers fall within chief constables' operational discretion. Chief constables are required to designate the police stations which are to be used for the purpose of detaining arrested persons. However, the location and distribution of such stations is entirely a matter for chief constables to decide. Constables do have the power to take arrested persons to non-designated stations in certain specific circumstances. For example, where they are working in an area covered by a non-designated station and they think it will only be necessary to detain the person for a relatively short time.
	A further important development in this area will be the planned introduction of Xstreet bail. This will remove the absolute obligation on police officers to take arrested persons to a police station as soon as practicable. Officers will be able to exercise discretion and decide to bail arrestees on the street on the basis that they must undertake to attend a police station at a later time.

Police Funding

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will rank police forces in order of expenditure per thousand population in each police force area.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police Funding

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposed increase in the sparsity component to one per cent. As one of the possibilities for change to the police funding formula; and what factors contributed to the calculation of that figure.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police Major Disaster Teams

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who funds (a) Centrex and (b) the Police Major Disaster Advisory Team; and for what reason British Transport Police Superintendent Tony Thompson has been dismissed from these two bodies; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police Numbers

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will rank police forces in order of the number of police officers per thousand population in each force area.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police Patrols

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of police officers are patrolling in (a) the Metropolitan Police force and (b) the United Kingdom.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police Powers (Confiscation of Alcohol)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to give further powers to the police to confiscate unopened bottles and cans of alcoholic drinks from youths gathered in public places.

John Denham: Existing police powers to confiscate alcohol from under-age drinkers in public places are provided by the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997, as amended by section 29 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.
	We are considering representations from the police and others about these powers, and in particular the restriction to confiscating alcohol in sealed containers. We will introduce any changes in the law that may be necessary as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Police Standards Unit

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the head of the Police Standards Unit will be eligible for a bonus; and what the criteria are for the award of this bonus.

John Denham: holding answer 29 January 2002
	The terms of Mr. Bond's contract state that he may be entitled to a bonus of up to 20 per cent. of his Home Office salary. His eligibility for such a bonus will be assessed in April 2003, according to the contribution which his unit has made to improving police performance over the preceding year.

Police Standards Unit

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the pay and conditions of service and secondment arrangements are for the Head of the Police Standards Unit.

John Denham: holding answer 29 January 2002
	When first appointed in January 2001, the Director of the Standards Unit, Mr. Kevin Bond was seconded to the Home Office from his employers, Earth Tech Inc. The effect of this was that Mr. Bond's duties and obligations were equivalent to a full-time permanent member of the civil service, but that the Home Office reimbursed Earth Tech for the cost of his services.
	From October 2002, Mr. Bond ceased to be an employee of that company and the secondment agreement was replaced with a fixed term employment contract with the Home Office. The salary of #195,000 which Mr. Bond receives from the Home Office is the same as applied under the secondment agreement.

Policing

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of progress in each of the five policing priority areas in England and Wales.

John Denham: The Home Office is currently assessing the progress made in the Policing Priority Areas (PPAs) established in March this year. Most recently, I chaired an extremely constructive seminar on 8 October, attended by police and Local Authority representatives from each of the five PPA areas, to review and assess the experiences of the pilot sites. I intend to make an announcement about PPAs in the near future.

Policing (Rural Areas)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance on policing in areas where children frequently play.

John Denham: The Government recognises the importance of providing children with safe places to play and this issue will be carefully considered as part of the Government's review of children's play, jointly launched by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, and the Department for Education and Skills on 15 October. There will be a consultation process as part of the review, which will allow all interested parties to feed in their views.

Policing Charges (Football)

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 640W, on policing charges, when the Working Group on Football will meet; what its remit is; and what opportunities there are for (a) clubs, (b) supporters and (c) other interested parties to make their concerns known in respect of policing charges.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prison Deaths

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons died in each (a) prison and (b) young offenders institution in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prison Farms

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 26th June, Official Report, column 959W, on prison farms, if he is now able to make a statement about the proposed closure of prison farms following the review of the future of the Farms and Gardens Estate.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prison Governers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on discretionary powers available to prison governors.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 29 October 2002
	When exercising their discretion, prison governors must act in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Prison Service as prescribed by the Prison Act 1952, the Prison or Young Offender Institution Rules, and operational instructions.

Prison Statistics

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people now in prison have committed (a) 10+, (b) 25+, (c) 50+, (d) 100+, (e) 200+ and (f) 1,000+ previous notifiable offences; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisoner Exchanges (Australia)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will open discussions with his Australian counterpart on a prisoner exchange arrangement.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisoner Exchanges (Australia)

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on prisoner exchange arrangements between the UK and Australia.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisoners

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what his policy is on securing (a) town visits, (b) home leave and (c) early release under the tagging system in respect of (i) Scottish domicile prisoners and (ii) English domicile prisoners held in prisons located in England;
	(2)  if he will list the differences in the status and rights of English and Scottish domicile prisoners held in prisons in England.
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the definition of Scottish domicile prisoners held in prisons located in England.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisoners (Privacy)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the guidance on rules to protect the privacy of prisoners from identification in publications by other prison inmates.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisoners (Release)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were released in error from prisons in England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Probation Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the National Probation Directorate is taking to set priorities for the workloads of probation staff.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Probation Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of each of the 42 budgets for probation areas in England and Wales is being allocated to the National Probation Directorate's central costs for (a) this and (b) next financial year.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Probation Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the performance data on enforcement and breach for probation areas in England and Wales meet national standards.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Probation Service

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the establishment for probation officers is in Kent; how many Kent has; and how many of these are (a) fully qualified main-grade officers and (b) trainees.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Probation Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, 
	(1)  how many trained probation officers left the Probation Service in England and Wales in each financial year since 199798.
	(2)  how many staff broken down by (a) grade and (b) function were employed at the National Probation Directorate on (i) 1 April 2001, (ii) 1 April 2002 and 1 October 2002.
	(3)  how many (a) Probation Service officers, (b) trained probation officers, excluding trainees and (c) clerical, secretarial and administrative staff were in post in the Probation Service in England and Wales on 1 April in each year since 1998.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Probation Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Probation Service's national budget was for (a) 200001, (b) 200102 and (c) 200203.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Probation Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many court reports have not been prepared in the specified time by the Probation Service in England and Wales in the last 12 months.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Public Consultations

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public consultations have been commenced by his Department in each month since 20 July; and what the (a) start date, (b) closing date and (c) website address of each were.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Re-offenders

Keith Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to implement the recommendations relevant to his Department in the Social Exclusion Unit report Reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners.

Hilary Benn: I will write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Registered Charities

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered charities there are in (a) England and Wales, (b) Northern Ireland and (c) Scotland.

Beverley Hughes: The Charity Commission is the Government Department that registers charities in England and Wales. There are currently 186,320 registered charities in England and Wales. The Inland Revenue is responsible for the recognition of charitable status in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Inland Revenue recognises approximately 7,500 charities in Northern Ireland and 30,025 in Scotland.

Registered Charities

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Gates of Remembrance Appeal is a registered charity.

Beverley Hughes: The Gates of Remembrance Appeal is not a charity registered in England and Wales. I understand there is a web-based appeal with this name, which is said to be sharing the proceeds between six ex-service charities. If the honourable member has any concerns about this organisation, he may wish to raise them with the Charity Commission, the regulatory authority for charities in England and Wales, at Harmsworth House, 1315 Bouverie Street, London EC4Y 8DP.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South of 4 July, Official Report, col. 5334W, what form the consultation on the extension of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 will take.

David Blunkett: I will be publishing a consultation paper around the turn of the year and will consider responses before bringing forward proposals in relation to any additional public authorities under Chapter 11 of Part 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

Retail Crime

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has collated on how many shops in high street shopping centres in England and Wales have CCTV systems.

John Denham: The Home Office does not hold information on privately operated Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems in shops. However, West Bromwich was awarded 465,000 under the Crime Reduction Programme CCTV Initiative for its town centre CCTV scheme.

RoadPeace

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what actions he proposes to take to respond to the representations from RoadPeace following their meeting with Ministers on 10 October; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Road Safety

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will ensure that the National Policing Plan for England and Wales includes the requirement for road safety to be a priority responsibility for police forces.

John Denham: The National Policing Plan will set out the Secretary of State's strategic priorities for policing in England and Wales for the coming three years. The Plan will cover a wide range of policing activity including the important contribution of policing to reducing death and injury on roads. The National Policing Plan will be published by the end of November.

Schemes and Initiatives

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the schemes and initiatives sponsored by his Department and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out, showing (a) the authorities or areas covered by the scheme and (b) the budget of the scheme in the last year for which information is available.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Schengen Information System

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information on UK nationals is held on the Schengen Information System; and how many nationals this covers.

Bob Ainsworth: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Security Operation (Barrow-in-Furness)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs were incurred by (a) Cumbrian police and (b) his Department in the security operation at Barrow-in-Furness for the docking of the Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal vessels in September.

John Denham: Cumbria Constabulary inform me that their preliminary estimate of the additional costs incurred on this operation is around 140,000.
	The force has an agreement with British Nuclear Fuel Limited (BNFL) for full reimbursement of these costs.
	No expenditure has been incurred by my Department.

Sentencing Proposals

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to put forward new sentencing arrangements for motorists who (a) kill and (b) seriously injure a cyclist.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Service Failures

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision has been made in contracts and specifications to cover service failures by (a) Capita and (b) the Criminal Records Bureau that result in (i) postponing the inclusion of categories of person in the disclosure system and (ii) delays in processing disclosure applications.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sex Offenders

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2002, Official Report, columns 22122W, on sex offenders, what the reasons were for the delay in answering the questions; and what (a) statutory provision and (b) guidance prevents the publication by Chief Constables of information disaggregated below force level on the number of resident, registered or notified sex offenders.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sexual Offences (Protected Material) Act 1997

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department is making towards implementation of the Sexual Offences (Protected Material) Act 1997.

Hilary Benn: During the passage of the Regulatory Reform Bill, Ministers announced their intention to use a Regulatory Reform Order to amend the Act, to facilitate its implementation. Officials within the Home Office are currently considering practical proposals to bring about an amendment to the legislation.

Sikhs (Kirpans)

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis Sikhs are required to remove their kirpan when entering his Department's buildings.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Staff Absence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the working target is for the average number of days absence per staff year in (a) 2002 and (b) 2003.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Stalking

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what figures he has collated on the extent of stalking of women; and how many women aged 16 to 24 years old have been stalked in the last three years.

John Denham: The 1998 British Crime Survey included an innovative computerised self-completion questionnaire designed to provide the first reliable measure of the extent of 'stalking' in England and Wales. A nationality representative sample of 9,988 16 to 59 year olds were asked whether they had been subject to 'persistent and unwanted attention' during their lifetime and during the preceding year. Persistent and unwanted attention was described to respondents at the beginning of the questionnaire in the following way:
	XPeople may sometimes be pestered or harassed either by someone they know or a stranger. This person might do things like phoning or writing, following them or waiting outside their home or workplace.
	Those who had been subject to such incidents were asked details about their experience. The questionnaire was deliberately designed to capture a wide range of experiences that could potentially be regarded as incidents of 'stalking'. However it should be stressed that these incidents were not necessarily regarded as crimes by the respondents and do not equate to offences under the Protection for Harassment Act 1997.
	These results are published in Home Office Research Study 210, which is deposited in the Library. This report indicates that four per cent of women had experienced persistent and unwanted attention in the last year, compared to two per cent of men. 17 per cent of women aged 16 to 19 and eight per cent of those aged 20 to 24 had experienced such in this period. It is possible that those patterns are, at least in part, accounted for by differences in how men and women, particularly young women, interpret both the term persistent and unwanted attention and their own experiences.
	Last year prevalence, by age and sex
	
		
			  Percent victims  
			 Age Women Men All 
		
		
			 16 -19 17 3 10 
			 2024 8 5 7 
			 All 4 2 3 
		
	
	Note:
	Definition of stalking: persistent and unwanted attention (excluding incidents in which the victim and perpetrator were living with each other throughout the period over which the incidents occurred).
	Source:
	1998 BCS

Statistics Commission (Management Information)

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library his reply to the Statistics Commission correspondence on the release of management information following the meeting of the Statistics Commission on 25 September; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: It is a matter for the Statistics Commission to decide how to handle my reply.

Stray Dogs

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to police forces on appropriate temporary housing for stray dogs.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Street Crime Action Group

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of the Street Crime Action Group.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Street Crime Initiative

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the figures for burglary and violence against the person were for (a) April, (b) September and (c) in four week periods in the intervening months, for each of the ten force areas in the Street Crime Initiative; and what the figures were for the corresponding period last year.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Superintendent Ali Dizaei

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Independent Advisory Group were consulted by the Metropolitan Police Service when investigating Superintendent Ali Dizaei.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Targets

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the non-public service agreement targets for his Department.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 6 November 2002
	The Home Department's current targets are set out in the Home Office Annual Report 200102 (CM 5106), and in the relevant business plans of the Department's executive agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies.

Television Purchases

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) integrated digital and (b) analogue television sets have been bought by his Department in each of the last 24 months; and if he will publish the guidance given to officials making decisions on television purchases.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Thames Valley Police

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers transferred out of Thames Valley Police in each year from 199899 to date.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Thames Valley Police

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) civilian police employees were recruited by Thames Valley Police in the most recent period for which figures are available; how many left Thames Valley Police during that period; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Throckmorton

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason he has delayed submitting the notification of the proposed development of an asylum accommodation centre at Throckmorton to Wychavon District Council; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I announced on 5 November 2002, Official Report, column 151W, that we have decided not to pursue our proposal for an accommodation centre at Throckmorton airfield in Worcestershire as part of the trial. While we consider that the site itself is suitable, we have not been able to settle the necessary land acquisition arrangements to allow us to develop the site within the time frame of the trial.

Treatment Programmes (Prisons)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many treatment programmes operate in prisons in England and Wales for (a) drug dependency, (b) alcohol dependency and (c) self-harm; and how many of them have been evaluated.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Turnberry Bilderberg Meeting

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made in connection with security arrangements for the Turnberry Bilderberg meeting; if the status of one arrested individual as special constable was consequently revoked; what the costs of policing this event were; what arrangements were made for the use of military transport for security of attendees; how many Bilderberg events have taken place in the UK requiring notification of his Department; when the next such is planned; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: This is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Vacancies (Probation Service)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies there are in the (a) London, (b) Sussex and (c) Kent probation services.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Women's Prison, Wales

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to build a women's prison in Wales.

Hilary Benn: The Prison Service currently has no plans to build a prison for women in Wales. The Prison Service view is that new prison development should primarily be concentrated in areas of the greatest shortage of places. Currently these are the north west, the Midlands and London.
	The number of women prisoners from Wales, currently around 170, does not justify the building of a female prison. However the Prison Service is well aware of the geographical difficulties being posed for some small sections of the prison population, and their needs would certainly be a consideration in any future plans for the development of the prison estate.

Work Permit Initiative

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on the Work Permit Initiative for teachers on the shortage of teachers in the United Kingdom.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Young Offender Institutions

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offender institutions do not possess in-house child protection protocols and committees.

Hilary Benn: All young offender institutions in the juvenile estate have developed child protection policies in line with a centrally produced protocol. Each establishment has also appointed child protection co-ordinator (and deputy) and has established a child protection committee.

Young Offender Institutions

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which agency is responsible for investigating deaths in custody which take place while in young offender institutions.

Hilary Benn: All deaths in prison custody are investigated by the police who assess any criminal culpability and are subject to a coroner's request, which is held before a jury.
	The Prison Service investigates all self-inflicted deaths in custody and conducts a clinical review of the treatment provided to a prisoner dying in prison from natural causes. These procedures apply in respect of adult prisoners, young offenders (18 to 20-year-olds) and juveniles (15 to 17-year-olds).
	In addition, juvenile deaths give rise to a serious incident inquiry by the Youth Justice Board, which has responsibility for the placement of juvenile offenders and the appropriate Child Protection Committee may commission a XPart 8 case review, pursuant to Part 8 of XWorking Together to Safeguard Children.

Young Offender Institutions

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many assaults on children under the age of 16 have occurred at each young offender institution in each of the past five years;
	(2)  what percentage of (a) boys and (b) girls under the age of 16 in young offender institutions in each of the past five years have been children in local authority care;
	(3)  what percentage of children under 16 who left young offender institutions to return to the community in each of the past five years has had residential accommodation arranged prior to discharge;
	(4)  how many of those resident in each young offender institution have been referred, whilst resident, to child protection services in each of the last five years.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Payment by Giro Order Book

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications for crime rates of the phased reduction in use by the Department of Work and Pensions of payment by giro order book.

John Denham: I will write to the hon Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Scottish Executive

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many formal and official inter-ministerial meetings his Department has held with the Scottish Executive since May 1999, broken down by (a) Scottish Executive Department, (b) subject and (c) date.

David Blunkett: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Recorded Crime

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual change in total recorded crime has been in (a) Avon and Somerset and (b) England from 198586 to 200102; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Street Crime

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether street crime (a) fell and (b) rose (i) in London and (ii) nationally in each September since 1997, compared with (A) the preceding month and (B) the previous September.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Cambridgeshire Police

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate (a) the total funding given by him to Cambridgeshire police in each of the last three years and (b) the real terms change in this support in each of those years.

John Denham: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Air Conditioning (Refrigerant)

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the climate change impact will be of the refrigerant to be used in the air conditioning in his Department's new building in Marsham Street.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Crime (Harrow)

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much (a) street crime and (b) burglary was committed in each year since 1996 in Harrow;
	(2)  how many crimes were committed in each year since 1996 in Harrow.

John Denham: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Young Offenders

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will provide a breakdown of young offenders by (a) types of offence and (b) length of sentence in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what proportion of those convicted in the last 12 months were young offenders.

Hilary Benn: The information requested, relating to England and Wales in 2000, is contained in Table 1 (persons aged 10 and under 18 sentenced by offence group) and Table 2 (persons aged 10 and under 18 sentenced to immediate custody by length of sentence).
	6 per cent. of those convicted of all offences in 2000 were aged 10 and under 18.
	Statistics for 2001 will be available in December.
	
		Table 1: Persons aged 10 and under 18 sentenced for all offences at all courts, by offence group and type of sentence or order, England and Wales, 2000(22)
		
			 Offence group Total sentenced Absolute/ conditional discharge Fine Average fine amount (#) Community sentence Immediate custody Average custodial sentence length (months) Otherwise dealt with 
		
		
			 Indictable offences: 
			 Violence against the person 6,424 1,169 366 74 3,601 1,053 11.8 822 
			 Sexual offences 467 48 1 100 313 97 25.7 17 
			 Burglary 6,849 875 170 90 4,030 1,597 9.7 908 
			 Robbery 2,238 81 9 103 1,111 1,005 18.6 194 
			 Theft and handling stolen goods 21,006 6,325 2,629 54 10,026 1,406 5.9 3,276 
			 Fraud and forgery 1,017 269 143 52 516 50 5.5 144 
			 Criminal damage 2,576 611 119 56 1,540 164 13.9 541 
			 Drug offences 3,739 1,112 1,434 49 961 164 15.8 264 
			 Motoring offences 556 26 72 127 296 155 6.5 40 
			 Other(23) 4,388 969 1,112 34 1,615 439 7.2 512 
			 Summary(24) 27,728 9,147 5,891 54 10,201 734 4.0 4,663 
			 Summary(25) 14,492 2,014 9,445 92 1,762 550 4.0 1,020 
			 All offences 91,480 22,646 21,391 70 35,972 7,414 9.7 12,401 
		
	
	(22) Staffordshire Police Force were only able to supply a sample data for magistrates courts proceeding covering one full week in each quarter for 2000. Estimates based on this sample are included in the figures, as they are considered sufficiently robust at this high level of analysis.
	(23) Excluding motoring offences
	(24) non-motoring offences
	(25) motoring offences
	
		Table 2: Persons aged 10 and under 18 sentenced to immediate custody for all offences at all courts, by offence group and length of sentence, England and Wales, 2000(26)
		
			   Length of sentence  
			 Offence group Total sentenced to immediate custody 1 month and under Over 1 month up to 2 months Over 2 months up to 3 months Over 3 months up to 6 months 
		
		
			 Indictable offences  
			 Violence against the person 1,053  35 30 485 
			 Sexual offences 97   1 23 
			 Burglary 1,597 2 34 41 760 
			 Robbery 1,005  7 5 242 
			 Theft and handling stolen goods 1,406 6 124 72 890 
			 Fraud and forgery 50  4 5 30 
			 Criminal damage 164  11 2 67 
			 Drug offences 164 1 3 6 56 
			 Motoring offences 155  6 9 92 
			 Other(27) 439 6 34 23 255 
			 Summary(28) 734 8 89 57 579 
			 Summary(29) 550 4 57 39 450 
			 All offences 7,414 27 404 290 3,929 
		
	
	
		
			  Length of sentence  
			 Offence group Over 6 months up to 1 year Over 1 year up to 2 years Over 2 years up to 3 years Over 3 years up to 5 years Over 5 years up to 10 years Life 
		
		
			 Indictable offences   
			 Violence against the person 264 119 44 48 8 20 
			 Sexual offences 13 20 16 20 3 1 
			 Burglary 457 251 32 19 1  
			 Robbery 256 253 142 91 9  
			 Theft and handling stolen goods 256 57  1   
			 Fraud and forgery 9 2 
			 Criminal damage 39 27 8 4 6  
			 Drug offences 39 28 15 15 1  
			 Motoring offences 42 6 
			 Other(27) 84 29 2 5 1  
			 Summary(28) 1  
			 Summary(29)   
			 All offences 1,460 792 259 203 29 21 
		
	
	(26) Staffordshire Police Force were only able to supply a sample data for magistrates courts proceeding covering one full week in each quarter for 2000. Estimates based on this sample are included in the figures, as they are considered sufficiently robust at this high level of analysis.
	(27) Excluding motoring offences
	(28) non-motoring offences
	(29) motoring offences

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Development Projects (UK)

Joan Walley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what development projects in the UK receive funding from the (a) European Investment Bank and (b) European Regional Development Fund, and when these projects will be completed; and what development projects in the UK with funding from the (i) European Investment Bank and (ii) European Regional Development Fund will start in the next six months.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 28 October 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	In 2001, the European Investment Bank invested Euro2,337 million (#1,469 million) in respect of projects in the UK. This comprised individual loans (for projects in a single sector or region) of Euro1,734 million (#1,090 million) and global loans (for projects covering more than one sector and/or region) of Euro603 million (#379 million). Individual loans focused on energy (Euro144 million (#91 million)), communications (Euro736 million (#463 million)); three-quarters of which were for improvement of telecommunications networks, water management, together with urban infrastructure (Euro641 million (#403 million)) and health and education (Euro212 million (#133 million)). Information on individual projects has been published in the EIB's Annual Report 2001, a copy of which is available in the Library. Information on the EIB's project pipeline is available on the EIB website (www.eib.org). This includes information on loans signed, approved and under appraisal. Annual Reports can also be accessed from the website.
	A total of Euro8,434 million (5,174 million) will be available from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for projects in the UK over the current funding period, 200006. As with the European Investment Bank funding, detailed information on individual projects could be obtained only at disproportionate cost as it is not held centrally by the DTL However, if you are interested in a particular ERDF or EIB-backed project, please write to me again and I will endeavour to obtain the relevant information.